Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
Although
it is the second book of Chronicles, historically,
1 and 2 Chronicles were one book, later
divided due to length. According to Jewish
tradition, these books appear at the end
of the Hebrew Bible. Chronicles provides
a historical account of the reign of the
southern kingdom of Judah, descendants of
David.
In
2 Chronicles chapter one, it begins with
Solomon's reign. He starts by establishing
his rule through corporate prayer and sacrifices
to the Lord, demonstrating his dependence
on God. Solomon's first request to God is
for wisdom, not riches, which pleases God.
God grants him wisdom and knowledge, along
with wealth, as a reward for prioritizing
just rule over materialism. However, Solomon
quickly begins accumulating wealth, disobeying
a law stated in Deuteronomy.
Psalm
72 is a royal psalm attributed to Solomon,
possibly written by David for Solomon or
by Solomon himself. The entire book of Psalms
is divided into five sections, each concluding
with a similar line blessing the Lord forever.
This
psalm is messianic, referencing David’s
son, the future King of Kings. It speaks
of a righteous and peaceful rule, especially
for the needy and poor, and preventing oppression
and violence. Solomon’s reign is portrayed
as bringing abundance and prosperity, foreshadowing
Jesus Christ’s future reign as described
in Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 60-62.
DEEP
ROOTS | 2 Chronicles 1:1
Throughout
the Bible, it references the trees or cedars
of Lebanon, and it got me thinking about
all the analogies of trees and roots throughout
the book - so i did a little digging. As
an American from the southern area of the
United states I thought of the grand ole’
oak tree and it’s majestic size.
How
does it establish it’s root system to last
soooo long? Which eventually led me to google.
Hey
Google, what is the deepest, strongest,
most established root system for a tree?
“Trees with taproots have a strong primary
root that grows deep into the soil and can
withstand drought conditions.”
The
taproot grows straight and deep into the
ground establishing a strong foundation
for the tree to withstand the coming trails
bcause it will face the adversity of wind,
droughts, and storms.
We
should take note of this very frist line
because it wasn’t through solomons own doing
but because the LORD his god was with him
and made him exceeedinlyg great. So, Heart
Check.
Have
you firmly established yourself waith a
strong taproot to the Lord so you are enabled
to do His Kingdom work?
SEEK
& LEAD | 2 Chronicles 1:5
Again,
Solomon didin’t waste his time trying to
do things on his own. First, he spoke with
the people.
Second,
they ALL as an assembly sought the Lord
with prayers and sacrifices. NO hide and
seek here.
No
fumbling through the dark without the guidance
of the Lord. He sought the Lord then led
his people as the ruling King and Son of
David. Heart Check
Have
you regulary sought out the Lord for guidance?
AMBITION
| 2 Chronicles 1:10
What
was in the heart of Solomon? We know what
it is because “What is in your heart will
come out of your mouth.” This phrase is
used several times in the NT - Matthew 12:34,
Luke 6:45, and Matthew 15:17-19.
It
also mentions that man can defile himself
with what comes out of his mouth so our
words refiect our true self and ambitions.
Are your ambitions selfish or selfiess?
Solomon’s
words paints the picture of unselfish ambition.
So heart check.
What
would your heart reveal if you were able
to ask the Lord anything?
DEWDROPS
| Psalm 72:6
I
love running in the rain, playing in the
rain, or just being near it.
It
provides a feeling of renewal and nourishment.
Especially a good soaking rain that has
heavy droplets that hits the ground soft
enough to just absorb into the hard georgia
clay vs bashing against it and rolling down
the hill.
And
in the morning, the muggy dew and fog that
reveles itself on the leaves brings a sense
of peace to my heart. Another day, another
mercy. I am so thankful that the Lord provides
such abundance in grace, love, and mercy
to my continual brokenness. So heart check.
Have
you allowed the world to beat against you
like a rainstorm or have you allowed the
Lord to repleniish your soul like the morning
dew?
ONIONS
| Psalm 72:8-17
Here
in the deep south of the United States,
we are surrounded with crops of cotton,
pecans, and vidalia onions - yummy! They
are hardy because they can grow in the cold
and survive droughts but are also fickle
due to their shallow roots that require
constant watering.
How
I long for the day when the Lord returns
and my shallow roots that need constant
watering are delivered! And just like an
onion, these verses are layers and layers
of the justice and righteousness that Jesus
provides to us!
HE
is our ideal King delivering the needy,
prevenint oppression, and conquering areas
with peaceful principles not violence. His
rule was so counterintutive that the jews
during his time couldn’t even see him as
the Messiah!
Yet,
in these verses we can clearly see that
only JESUS could fulfil this role. Heart
Check.
Are
your roots in the well that never runs dry?
Deep
Dive
How
can you establish deeper spiritual roots
in your daily life to withstand life's adversities?
In
what ways can you seek God’s guidance more
intentionally before making decisions?
Reflect
on your recent prayers. What do they reveal
about your heart's true desires?
When
life feels overwhelming, how do you find
renewal in God’s grace each day?
How
can you ensure your ambitions align with
God’s will for your life?
What
steps can you take to nurture your spiritual
life consistently, just as you would care
for a delicate plant?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for being a God of justice
and righteousness.
Thank
you for firmly establishing your Word and
making it available to us today. Let us
not take for granted all that you have blessed
us with and provided through your Word.
May
we walk in adherence to your will and not
our own. Establish our footsteps and our
path so that we seek you daily. Align our
ambitions and hearts with your will. If
there is any darkness within us, we ask
that you bring your light to it. Shine into
the deepest parts of our hearts so that
we may be examined, purified, and proven.
Just
like Solomon, Lord, we seek to be fair,
kind, and lead with integrity in all our
relationships.We ask that your Holy Spirit
intervene so that the words of our mouths
honor you and glorify your name.
May
your Son continue to receive the glory as
our ideal King—a King of justice and righteousness,
who pours out His heart for us, delivering
the needy, the poor, and those without help
from oppression and violence.
Grant
us patience to wait for the day when we
will be truly transformed into our heavenly
selves. While we are here, help us to continue
making disciples and sharing your Word and
the Good News with those who are lost and
in darkness.
Blessed
be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone
does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious
name forever. May the whole earth be filled
with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Song
of Solomon 1 begins a poetic
exchange between a Shulammite woman and
Solomon, with her maidens chiming in throughout.
She begins with a longing for her beloved’s
kisses, describing his love as better than
wine and yearning for intimacy with him.
She describes her dark appearance from working
in the fields and hopes her beloved does
not look down on her. She calls out to him
as he works the fields, wishing she could
be near his fiocks. Solomon responds with
adoration, describing her as the most beautiful
woman of all and calling her to the shepherd’s
tents. He describes her companionship as
a king with his horse and her unique beauty
that is adorned with jewels. She pictures
him lying between her breasts, like the
sachet of myrrh that she wears at night.
They both praise each other’s beauty, and
the chapter ends with her feeling blessed
and in awe of the home they live in.
In
Solomon 2, Solomon a£irms
the beauty of his bride over all women,
as a lily among thorns. She reciprocates
the same gesture, speaking of the joy and
security she feels under his banner of love.
Feeling overwhelmed with love, she longs
for him to satisfy her. When she hears his
voice, she awakens with excitement but also
shies away when he comes to her door. He
acknowledges that they need to deal with
their problems or “catch the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards.” She ends with
a call for him to be swift like a gazelle
to return to her once again.
In
Solomon 3,
the woman has a dream of her desperate search
for her lover. She goes to the streets of
the city, and when she finds him, she vows
to never let go and to bring him home with
her. The chapter ends with the procession
of the wedding party and a celebration of
the wedding day.
In
Solomon 4,
Solomon admires the beauty of his beloved
bride, comparing her body parts to the beauty
in nature. He poetically describes her eyes,
hair, teeth, lips, cheeks, neck and breasts.
He invites his bride to come away with him
and continues to profess his love for her,
declaring her love as better than wine.
He likens her to a locked garden and spring
that is full of spices and fiows with living
water. The chapter ends with an invitation
from the bride to come into her garden.
Solomon
5 begins with Solomon stating
his indulgence in his bride’s garden. The
bride has another dream, this time of her
lover knocking on the door while she sleeps,
but she makes excuses as to why she does
not want to get up. When she eventually
opens the door, he is gone. Regretting her
decision not to open the door sooner, she
goes into the city to find him, only to
be met with abuse and violence by the city
guards. She asks her mates for help in finding
him. The Daughters of Jerusalem asks why
her lover is above all others, and she replies
with a doting description of his physical
appearance.
Solomon
6 begins with the Daughters of
Jerusalem asking where the bride’s lover
has gone, and she replies that he has simply
gone back to work. With a boost of confidence,
she states that their commitment to one
another is secure. Solomon returns with
words of adoration for his bride, likening
her beauty to that of Tirzah and Jerusalem
and an army with banners. He describes her
physical features and refers to her as his
dove and his one and only. The chapter ends
with the woman dancing before the people.
Solomon
7 continues with this public
dance. As Solomon looks on, he sees beyond
what others can see and describes the beauty
that he has experienced in the privacy of
their time together, paying special attention
to her feet, thighs, navel, belly, neck,
eyes, nose, and head. She reciprocates this
feeling of satisfaction, once again declaring
their secure commitment. The chapter ends
with an invitation to share in intimacy
with one another.
In
Solomon 8,
the bride longs to have her husband close
to her always without worry of what anyone
thinks. She expresses her desire to take
him home to her hometown and implores him
to set her as a seal upon his heart, illustrating
the strength of her love as death and fire.
The chapter shifts to a refiective conversation
between the brothers of the woman in her
youth and their zeal in protecting her purity.
However, the woman expresses her strength
and discipline in doing so herself. The
chapter ends with the woman describing their
mutual love as the vineyards they care for
and an invitation to her husband to come
swiftly to her so they can enjoy one another.
SPOUSAL
SPEECH | Song of Solomon 1:1-4
This
first section brought back all the feelings
of that young love, when everything was
exciting, and all you could talk about how
wonderful this person was and all you could
think of was being with them. And what a
lot of us experience is that once that honeymoon
phase is over and “real life” sets in, that
excitement goes away and you begin to see
things that you once loved about a person
as annoying.
Then
you have your first fight and hit a crossroads
of whether you’re going to fight to stay
or fiee. I thank God that the many times
we got to this point in my own marriage,
we both fought to stay. Because it came
full circle. Every time we get over a hurdle,
a new excitement comes with it.
There
is power in the way you fight for or against
your marriage. And one of the biggest lessons
that I learned in my 16 years of being married
is the power of the words that I speak about
my husband. Because what I realized is that
when I would talk smack about him, not only
was I dishonoring him, but I was dishonoring
God and His choosing of my husband.
It’s
as if I was saying that God’s choice wasn’t
good enough for me. But the greater e£ect
that it had was the way it would tear him
down in my own mind and in the minds of
others. So I had to choose to honor him
with my words and choose to speak highly
of him rather than complain about him.
And
it changed the way that I saw him. Heart
Check.
(If
you're married), how do you speak about
your spouse, both to yourself and to others?
TRUE
INTIMACY | Song of Solomon 1:4
This
picture of the bride being brought into
the palace illustrates the way that she
would first have to acknowledge him as king
before they could become intimate with each
other.
It
was an acknowledgment of submission. When
we talk about an intimate relationship with
the Lord, some people aren’t able to get
to that place and will never know of it
because they can never bring themselves
into the palace.
They
are unwilling to fully commit and submit
their lives to the Lord, and therefore they
never experience that deep connection with
Him. In a sense, they only stay in the dating
phase, where they can come and go as they
please and don’t have to answer to anyone.
Heart Check.
Do
you have true intimacy with the Lord? Have
you come into the palace? Are you fully
committed and submitted to Him?
REPUTATION
| Song of Solomon 1:7
Here,
the woman is expressing that she does not
want to appear as a prostitute who is chasing
after him. In other words, she cares about
her integrity and reputation. The world
gives us the advice to “do you boo and don’t
worry about what anyone thinks.” But as
Christians, we have to care what people
think to a certain extent. Because our lives
are a direct refiection of Christ, and while
His character doesn’t hinge upon ours, our
character will most certainly taint the
perception of who God is in others’ eyes
if we live loosely. It’s a fine line because
at the same time, we don’t want to live
seeking people's approval nor do we want
to live a double life so that we don’t mess
it up. But I believe this perception of
others can be our accountability partner.
Heart Check.
Do
you care about your reputation? Are you
concerned about what others see of God's
character in you?
FRUITFUL
GARDEN | Song of Solomon 4:12-15
The
bride’s garden is fruitful, and its life-giving
source is the well of living water. Jesus
said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto
me and drink… out of him will flow rivers
of living water,” (Jn. 7:37) speaking of
the Holy Spirit.
One
of the more confusing things for many newer
Christians is the Holy Spirit and knowing
His place in your life. He is the Spirit
of the Living God, who was given to us as
a gift on the Day of Pentecost so that we
would always have the Presence of God dwelling
within us.
Some
might ask, “How do I know if I have the
Holy Spirit dwelling within me?”
One
of the strongest pieces of evidence is fruitfulness.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control” (Gal.
5:22).
If your garden produces these kinds of fruit,
it is evident that the Living Water is flowing
through you. Heart Check.
How
fruitful is your garden? Are you producing
fruit? Or is it dried up?
(**Sidebar:
If you feel barren, simply seek and ask
for a refreshing of the Holy Spirit. Turn
on the water hose and water your garden!)
HOLY
SCENT | Song of Solomon 4:16
With
the winds blowing over the garden, a scent
would fiow from it, depending on what it
is producing.
So
if our lives are producing the fruit of
the Spirit, there will be a sweet scent
that is di£used from within us. But
if we have bitterness, malice, anger, negativity,
and profanity within us, our scent isn’t
going to be pleasant. Eventually, people
aren’t going to want to hang around us.
Heart Check.
What
kind of scent are you diffusing? Is it attractive
or repulsive?
MY
FRIEND | Song of Solomon 5:16
Up
to this point, this book has been pretty
steamy. But here we see this couple’s relationship
went well beyond the bedroom.
She
calls him her friend. One of the biggest
reasons you will see relationships fail,
particularly marriages, is because the relationship
was built on physical attraction and feelings.
Once
that fades, there’s nothing left. This can
also happen with our relationship with Christ.
If we base it upon our feelings, the moment
we hit a dry season, we get discouraged
and want to give up. But it’s the ones who
keep coming back to cultivate the friendship
that will continue to grow. The rest will
be left in their discouragement and eventually
fall away.
So,
how do we cultivate that friendship? Simply
spending time. You can’t build a solid friendship
in five minutes a day.
Yea,
you might like the person, but it takes
time to get to know them truly. Heart Check.
What
kind of friendship do you have with Jesus?
Are you spending time getting to know Him?
Or do you see the time spent as an inconvenience?
MORNING
LIGHT | Song of Solomon 6:10
Here,
we see a picture of the bride or the church
in her glory. People come to church because
it is a light shining out of a dark world.
We are that light (or we are supposed to).
The
things that light up the church (or us)
is the way that she looks down like the
dawn. In other words, she can wake up each
morning to new mercies and a new perspective.
No
matter what comes her way, she can face
it head-on, knowing that God is her strength.
She is more than a conqueror. She will not
fail. But if we wake up and look to everything
else to give us that strength and confidence,
our light will dim. Heart Check.
What
lights up your morning? Do you see each
day as a new opportunity to shine the light
of Christ?
MOON
PHASE | Song of Solomon 6:10
The
second thing that illuminates the church
is the Light of the World. Jesus shines
His light upon us, and we refiect that glory.
We are the moon, charged to bring forth
light in dark places. But if we allow the
world to get between us and the Son, we
will be eclipsed instead of being the full
moon that God intended for us to be. Heart
Check.
What
moon phase are you in? Waxing gibbous? Crescent?
How much light are you projecting?
UNITY
AND LOVE | Song of Solomon 6:10
While
we project light into the world, we also
project an even brighter light in the eyes
of the Father.
We
are like the Son! He sees Jesus in us!
We
are being purified and refined every day
that we are breathing. The purity within
the church is another source of light. But
our unity as an army is the greatest light
we can shine.
This
is why the enemy fights so hard against
the church and tries to get us to fight
against one another—his whole mission is
the divide and conquer.
If
the church is fighting against itself, who
is left to defend those out in the world,
vulnerable to attack from the real enemy?
Remember
in 2:4, the bride said, “His banner over
me was love.” That’s our mission. We are
to be a united front with a banner of love.
That is where real power comes from. As
we draw nearer to the end, the enemy will
continue to skew the view of the church
as a militant enemy of hate. It’s already
happening, so we must fight even harder
to love people. Heart Check.
How
much love are you projecting? Are you standing
in unity with the church or looking to divide
and conquer?
GET
OFF THE MOUNT | Song of Solomon 6:13
Here,
the bridesmaids are like, “Snap out of it,
sister! You’re the queen, and you’ve got
other matters to tend to!”
And
sometimes we need this kind of jolting because
we can get into this space of being on the
mount and not wanting to leave, like the
time that Peter told Jesus on the Mount
of Transfiguration, “Lord, it is good for
us to be here. Let us build tents and camp
here!”
But
the Lord was like, “Nope, we gotta get to
the streets. We’ve got some saving and healing
to do.” As much as we want to stay in this
safe place of glory, we too are called to
go out into the world. Heart Check.
Are
you getting off the mount? Or are you staying
witin safety of the holy huddle?
PROTECTING
PURITY | Song of Solomon 8:8-9
Purity
was a big deal in society back then, because
without it, the family would not be able
to sell the daughter to a quality suitor.
So her brothers are vowing to build her
up in her strength if she shows self-discipline
and the ability to protect her purity. But
if she lives loosely, they will wall her
in order to protect it themselves.
Her
freedom is in her hands. In some societies,
this is still emphasized, perhaps even over-emphasized,
while in most societies, it is overlooked
anymore. But it isn’t overlooked by the
Lord. Our purity is still such a highly
valued gift that He gives to us. Thankfully,
by His blood, we are washed clean, so this
isn’t just speaking of sexual purity.
This
is a purity in the highest sense that we
still have to work to protect. And when
we do, this is the door to true freedom,
whereas sin will keep us walled in. Heart
Check.
Are
you protecting your purity?
Deep
Dive
Describe
the character of the woman and the character
of Solomon. How do these qualities cultivate
a healthy marriage?
How
does the dynamic of their relationship go
against or refiect the societal norm of
marriages at this time?
How
can God’s love for His people be seen through
an allegorical approach to reading this
book?
How
does “my beloved is mine, and I am his”
describe our relationship with Christ? What
are we to Him and what is He to you?
What
role does the chorus of the Daughters of
Jerusalem play?
How
is love portrayed in this book and how does
it compare to the love that you know?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the love you so beautifully
encapsulated through the love of Solomon
and his bride.
Through
the deep layers of these passages, we can
see the intricacies of love in its highest
sense. I pray that we will continue to gain
a good understanding of the different
types of love and where they apply. Help
us to protect it with everything in us,
honoring you as we do.
We
know that love goes beyond just emotions
or feelings. As we accept the daily invitation
to be open and honest with you, help us
to allow this vulnerability to keep us submitted
in the best way. You are not this controlling
God who wants to keep us holed up or walled
in. You desire us to live freely, and the
best way to do that is to recognize that
your protection of us is out of love.
So
we thank you for your agape love—a love
that is without conditions and sees no limits.
You look beyond our faults and see us as
spotless without blemish or wrinkle. Thank
you for loving us in our darkest hours and
for speaking over us words of affirmation,
joy, peace, and encouragement. Help us to
hear those, especially when the enemy tries
to say that we are unloved and tarnished.
That may be true—we know he hates us and
that our tarnished nature is being perfected
every day. So I’ll agree there, but I won’t
agree to the allowance of his voice to deter
me from running after you and seeking you
all of my days. So we cast off anything
that is causing us to forsake you. We recognize
our darkness but also the grace that covers
it.
Thank
you, Jesus, for being our friend. We know
that all relationships take work and you
stand at the door and knock—all we need
to do is open it up! But then the real test
is how much time we decide to sit and dine
with you and get to know you. I pray that
we never see it as a burden. May we never
think that this book is too long or that
fellowship with others is a waste of time.
How it must break your heart to hear people
say that. Forgive us if we have ever felt
that way. We also know that we have responsibilities
and that we can’t just stay on the mount
and hide in the cleft. We are called to
go out into the world, so help us discern
and prioritize well. I pray that we will
all protect our purity, whether married
or not. Thank you for the gift of eros and
intimacy within marriage.
Help
us to see it for the valuable gift that
it is so that we can teach the younger generation
to guard it with everything in them.
Guard
our hearts from anything that might taint
our view of it. Keep us from watching things
or participating in conversations that will
defile our thoughts. That’s where it begins—in
our minds. So may we take our thoughts captive
and make them obedient to Christ.
We
pray for a special blessing over marriages
today. I pray that we can all come back
to the place that had us smitten in the
first place. Help us to see our spouses
for the gift that they are. Work on our
hearts so that we can be the best partner
and helpmate, and we know that you will
do a work in our other half, so we lay that
desire to control or change them before
you. We place our marriages at your feet
and submit ourselves to you first. We are
your servant. We commit our intentions,
faithfulness, and trust to you, knowing
that you are the wellspring of our marriage,
so may we keep you at the center always.
Give us a heart for our spouse and help
us to respect the purpose that you have
for their lives as much as we do our own.
We pray for healing and restoration upon
those who may be struggling. Give us wisdom
in how to deal with brokenness, hurt, or
betrayal. May love cover all o£enses.
Teach us to honor you in the way that we
support, bless, and encourage one another.
I pray that our marriages will be a light
in a dark and broken world, and may we bear
fruit that continues to grow well into our
golden years.
For
those who are not yet married and still
waiting for the one that you have for them,
strengthen their faith and patience today
as they wait. You are the source of all
things good, so we know that you have the
perfect one for them. Help them to trust
in that and to continue to grow with you
so that they will be unshakeable in their
identity when that wedding day comes.
For
anyone who is healing from a broken marriage,
will you restore them today. Breathe peace
and wholeness upon their hearts. Help them
to pick up the broken pieces and walk uprightly
once again. We know that you can give beauty
for ashes and turn all things for good,
so we trust that you will in these cases.
As
we allow your love to wash over us, your
Living Water to nourish us, and your Spirit
to breathe life into us, may you be blessed.
For we desire to honor you with every part
of our being.
Proverbs
1 introduces Solomon, son of David and King
of Israel, as the writer. He also gives
the book's purpose: to give wisdom and understanding,
to discipline, and to teach all people,
young and old alike. Solomon lays the foundation
that the beginning of knowledge is to fear
the Lord. whereas fools will despise wisdom
and understanding, leaving them to su£er
their own consequences. He emphasizes the
importance of equal parental guidance and
children honoring that instruction. The
teachings should become the essence of who
they are. Solomon also gives warning about
the enticement of sinners, as their ways
will lead to destruction and death. The
chapter ends with a personification of wisdom,
calling out to the people to heed her instruction
to live a long life of favor and peace,
and the opposite for those who do not.
Proverbs
2 begins with a call to receive, treasure
up, pay attention to, turn your heart toward,
ask for, talk about, and seek out the voice
of the Lord in order to gain a better understanding
of the fear of the Lord. It will be as a
shield, protecting those who forsake evil
and pursue the righteous path. It will also
protect you from the “forbidden woman,”
who will try to entice you into sexual immorality
and eventually destroy. Proverbs 3 offers
encouragement to keep the commandments so
you will live a long life of peace. If you
trust in the Lord with all your heart and
keep him at the center of your life instead
of trying to figure things out alone, he
will guide your steps. Walking wisely and
fearing the Lord will also bring good health
and refreshment. Honoring the Lord with
your wealth will lead to a blessed life,
and a person corrected by the Lord is loved
by Him. Anyone who finds wisdom is blessed
with a greater gift of riches and honor
than anything this world could offer.
Maintaining wisdom will lead to a safe,
secure, and confident life without fear.
Solomon continues to encourage kindness,
timely payback, avoiding senseless fights,
and staying away from those who love violence,
for the Lord opposes the wicked but gives
favor to the humble.uction. But those who
maintain integrity will inhabit the land.
Proverbs
3 offers encouragement to keep the commandments
so you will live a long life of peace. If
you trust in the Lord with all your heart
and keep him at the center of your life
instead of trying to figure things out alone,
he will guide your steps. Walking wisely
and fearing the Lord will also bring good
health and refreshment. Honoring the Lord
with your wealth will lead to a blessed
life, and a person corrected by the Lord
is loved by Him. Anyone who finds wisdom
is blessed with a greater gift of riches
and honor than anything this world could
o£er. Maintaining wisdom will lead
to a safe, secure, and confident life without
fear. Solomon continues to encourage kindness,
timely payback, avoiding senseless fights,
and staying away from those who love violence,
for the Lord opposes the wicked but gives
favor to the humble.
TEACHABLE
SPIRIT | Proverbs 1:7
Solomon
calls those who despise wisdom and instruction
fools. In other words, they refuse to learn,
reject disciplines and are unteachable.
In a sense, they are know-it-alls and do
not want anyone to tell them otherwise.
So, a fool is not necessarily one who is
unintelligent—but it is one who lacks spiritual
intelligence. It’s a character deficiency
rather than a mental one. You can have all
the head knowledge and still be foolish
because is the proper application of the
knowledge you gain from experience and God’s
Word. Heart Check.
How
teachable are you? Do you receive instructions
well or resent them?
PARENTAL
WISDOM | Proverbs 1:8-9
Here,
we see the responsibility of teaching children
being put equally on both mom and dad. This
is a sensitive one for older children because
while I do believe that learning from our
parents extends beyond our childhood, there
is also a boundary line that sometimes needs
to be formed for parents who have a tendency
or desire to control situations and are
still trying to exercise that right. So
once children become adults, there is a
mutual honor that needs to happen, as we
learned that all generations are useful.
Heart Check.
If
you are a parent, are you sharing the responsibility
with your spouse in providing wise counsel
for your children? As a child, do you still
allow yourself to learn from your parents?
EFFORT
IN UNDERSTANDING | Proverbs 2:1-5
Here,
we see that understanding the fear of the
Lord and gaining knowledge of His Word takes
e£ort.
It’s
not going to happen in an instant. Look
at how many verbs there were in these verses—we
must receive the Word through hearing and
reading it, treasure it up within us, and
seek it out for ourselves—we can’t rely
on other people to learn for us.
We
need to pay attention to it, turn our hearts
toward it in obedience, ask for it, talk
about it, and literally dig for it like
a buried treasure.
Sounds
like the very thing we are doing here at
Heart Dive, and we will all be better because
of it. Heart Check.
How
much effort are you putting into understanding
the fear of the Lord?
FULL
TRUST | Proverbs 3:5
This
is one of my all-time favorite verses because
I find that most of the time, there is something
in my life that I can’t understand. I don’t
understand why innocent people are dying.
I
don’t know why some of the best moms and
greatest friends have cancer. I can’t understand
why there is injustice, hate, or evil in
the world. But if I allow that to consume
my mind and heart, I will be in a hamster
wheel of confusion and eventually in a spin
cycle of bitterness and resentment.
But
when I put my head down and choose to trust
in the goodness of our God, knowing that
He has a plan and that He will turn what
people are doing (not what He is doing)
for good, then I won’t end up on a path
that trips me up. He will smooth out that
bumpy road of confusion.
He
will bring peace in the midst of turmoil
and breathe relief when it feels like the
world is closing in. But it takes a full
commitment to trust Him with our entire
being, not just trusting Him in some things
and looking elsewhere for others. Heart
Check.
Do
you fully trust Him with your whole heart?
Or are you trying to will an understanding
of all things first?
DAILY
ACKNOWLEDGMENT | Proverbs 3:5
Secondly,
it says to “acknowledge Him in all your
ways,” meaning there is a daily invitation
for Him to join you every single day in
everything you do.
But
many of us will only invite Him in for our
time of devotion but shut the door on Him
as soon as we go out to live our lives.
Heart Check.
Is
the door open for him in your daily conduct?
GIVING
BACK | Proverbs 3:9-10
The
implication here is that when we are generous,
we will be blessed.
Again,
this is a general principle and not an absolute,
but it is most certainly an easy Heart Check.
Do
you honor God with your wealth? When you
have an abundance of something (time, talent,
resources, ect.) do you give back?
PICKING
FIGHTS | Proverbs 3:30
I
used to be a fight picker, and it all stemmed
from my insecurity. I felt loved if my other
half was fighting with me because, in my
warped mind, it meant he cared. But over
the years, I realized that I felt so out
of control that I would pick a fight in
an attempt to gain power in the relationship,
only to find that in the end, I would lose
out. I never felt good.
But
the opposite happens when you can control
your emotions and not fight back or constantly
bicker. This is why Jesus instructed us
to turn the other cheek when someone strikes
us. Greater control over ourselves will
give us the confidence that we lack when
we feel out of control. Heart Check.
Are
you a fight picker? Or are you able to control
your emotions?
Deep
Dive
What
is the purpose of Proverbs?
How
do we cultivate and maintain a life lived
out in wisdom?
How
might wisdom protect us?
What
would being uprooted from the land look
like in a practical sense?
How
might the lack of wisdom lead to physical
sickness?
Pick
one proverb from these chapters to memorize,
break apart, and meditate upon throughout
the week. Journal on how it helped to guide
your steps.
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for calling us to have
a greater understanding of the value of
wisdom.
I
pray that there will be an increased desire
within each and every one of us to know
wisdom and instruction and to understand
words of insight. May we not just be hearers
of the Word but doers as well. We know that
it isn’t just about storing up head knowledge,
but applying what we learn in the most practical
ways. Please show us how to do that.
If
there are any simple ways within us, where
we are naïve to our own misunderstanding,
we seek and ask for your wisdom to be bestowed
upon us. This isn’t just some ideal that
is floating around the earth. These are
infallible truths of your Word and instruction
and the conviction and guidance of your
Holy Spirit. So may we be in tune with that
so that we can walk it out in obedience.
May
we not forsake the teaching of our parents,
whether biological or spiritual. I pray
that we take the wisdom that has been spoken
and modeled for us and carry that into the
next generations. We know parents are not
perfect, and you are not asking us to follow
after parents who may have not been the
wisest. If that is the case, may foolishness
stop with us. We will be those who break
generational sin, and we choose to walk
in wisdom instead.
We
know that we will all face temptation and
the enticement of others. Strengthen us
today, increase our discernment and the
ability to say no and walk away, especially
when we feel pressured by the acceptance
of our peers. I pray that you will give
us the ability to be strong and courageous,
knowing that the outcome will be far greater
than if we choose to walk down the path
they’re going down. Instead, may we choose
the road to righteousness always so that
we do not get caught in any traps that have
been set for our feet.
We
thank you for your loving correction. It
may not always feel good but we know it
is for our good and from your goodness and
love for us. Every good parent will discipline
their children for the betterment of their
future, so we know that you do the same.
I
pray that as we turn toward you instead
of away from you, you will pour out your
Spirit unto us. So help us to hear your
voice when you call, our Good Shepherd.
We do not want to go down in derision with
fools.
As
we receive your words today, may we treasure
them up in our hearts, continually paying
attention to their insight. If we don’t
understand something, we will ask but also
trust that perhaps it isn’t time for us
to understand or know all things yet. One
day it will all make sense, but I pray that
in the meantime, we will humble ourselves
knowing that you are the better judge of
what every person needs.
We
commit our lives fully to you today, acknowledging
you in everything we do and keeping the
doors wide open to every part of our lives.
We don’t want to walk on bumpy or crooked
paths but rather allow you to make our paths
straight and direct our steps.
Help
us to acknowledge where we are blessed and
what areas of our lives that can be a blessing
to those around us. We don’t want to be
stingy because that is not carrying your
heart. I pray that we will be a generous
people that looks for ways to show kindness.
Thank
you for the many benefits that come with
wisdom. This isn’t why we want to live our
lives this way, nor is it a means by which
we determine whether we are wise. Maybe
it would be in a perfect world, but our
world is broken. So we will take this, tie
it around our neck, hold fast to it, and
walk by faith. In doing so, we will honor
you, and that is what we live for.
In
Proverbs 4,
Solomon gives wise instructions to his son,
imploring him to listen and pay attention
to his advice, as he did with his mother
and father. If his son does not reject it,
they will o£er protection and bring
honor. Solomon reminds him of how he has
taught his son and urges him to hold fast
to his instruction while steering clear
of the evil paths and people in life. He
ends by telling him to guard his heart and
mouth and keep moving forward on the path
to righteousness.
In
Proverbs 5,
Solomon warns his son to steer clear of
the adulteress woman, describing her as
a smooth-talker who will lead straight to
destruction. The results of following after
her will be regret, physical illness, and
a loss of honor and strength.
Instead,
Solomon encourages his son only to pay mind
to his own wife and gain satisfaction from
her alone. He ends with a reminder that
the Lord sees all sin and a lack of discipline
will lead to death.
In
Proverbs 6,
Solomon gives practical wisdom about not
overextending oneself to their neighbor
by putting up security for another’s debt.
He warns against laziness and encourages
the consideration of the work ethic of the
ant and the way she works hard in season
and does not need to be told what to do.
On the other hand, the lazy person will
go down in poverty. He speaks against schemers
and lists seven traits that are hated by
the Lord: haughtiness, lying, murder, plotting
wickedness, one who runs to sin, false witnesses,
and divisiveness. He once again reminds
his son to keep his commandments, as they
will keep him from the adulteress woman.
Should he not, he will get burned and become
disgraced.
HUNGER
AND THIRST | Proverbs 4:17
While
it’s easy to think that this is only speaking
about people on the outside who are doing
wicked things, this could very well be our
friends and family who lead us down the
wrong paths. And because they’re so close
to us, we tend to overlook behaviors or
write them o£ as “That’s just the
way they are.” But if we’re gonna be dining
at their table, we better recognize what
they’re reaching for to satisfy them.
Here,
Solomon says that sin is their food and
drink, meaning they don’t find satisfaction
in the good. They will bite out of the bread
of foolishness and drink from the cup of
contention and fighting. Heart Check.
What
cup and loaf are you reaching for? What
about those around you? What satisfies your
hunger and thrist?
DISTRACTION
| Proverbs 4:25
This
one always checks my heart, because I have
a monkey mind, and everything I see is a
banana tree. I have a vigor for life, and
I want to see and do it all. This isn’t
a bad thing, but it can be if I allow those
bananas to distract me from my purpose.
So, in a sense, I have to put on horse blinders
to keep moving forward rather than detouring
to the left and right, and eventually, I
will go completely off course. Heart Check.
Are
you easily distracted? Do you need to put
on blinders so you keep looking forward?
WATCH
YOUR STEP | Proverbs 4
Solomon
gave us a lot of practical instruction here—listen
to your parents, get wisdom, don’t forget
it, guard it, turn from sin, guard your
heart vigilantly, watch your mouth, set
goals, remove distractions, and watch your
step. I think it’s pretty profound that
he ended on that last one. Because where
you step determines where you go. We don’t
fall into sin, we walk into it. Heart Check.
Where
are you stepping? Which path are you heading
down?
PLAN
FOR TEMPTATION | Proverbs 5:13
They
say hindsight is 20/20—you can see much
clearer when you’re in the stage of regret.
But by then, there’s no going back to get
the advice you ignored. And the reason this
happens is because once desire sets in,
the need for gratification will trump the
desire for advice.
This
is why Solomon is warning his son to know
this and to have a plan, should he ever
face these temptations. Because we can easily
say, “I would never,” but I guarantee you,
every person who committed adultery said
the same thing. We are not exempt. Heart
Check.
Do
you have a plan for how you would react
to temptation?
DRINK
FROM YOUR OWN WELL | Proverbs 5:15
Back
in this day, a family’s well was their most
prized possession. This was their source
of life! It was considered a crime to take
water from another person’s well, just as
it was considered a crime to sleep with
someone else’s spouse.
That’s
what this is speaking of. When he says to
drink from your own well, he is saying,
“Don’t go trying to get satisfaction elsewhere.
Their well may look cleaner, and their grass
may look greener, but I assure you, it isn’t.”
Heart Check.
Are
you watering your own grass and drinking
from your own well? Or are you looking at
someone else's property?
OVEREXTENDING
| Proverbs 6:1-3
This
is not implying that we should not be generous
or lend to those in need. What this is speaking
to is overextending yourself or making a
commitment that you cannot keep.
This
can be applied to life in general and not
just money.
Because
a lot of us are people pleasers. We have
a really hard time saying no, and because
so, we end up saying yes to everything else
while saying no to what is most important.
The Lord is still working on me with this
one—every day I am faced with prioritizing
what is most important, and as much as I
want to be there for every single person
and do all the things, I simply can’t. And
the Lord will literally say to me, “Put
it down.”
He
did that the other day when I was studying
Psalm 119, and it was my daughter’s birthday.
I didn’t want to let you guys down. But
I also realized I would be letting my little
girl down if I didn’t stop. Heart Check.
Do
you overextend yourself? Do you need to
work on prioritization and making wise commitments?
WORK
ETHIC | Proverbs 6:6-8
This
makes me wonder how many ants they had hanging
around for them to observe. (We had a lot
of ants in Hawaii—it’s one of the costs
of living in paradise—but it gave me the
heebie-jeebies!) Regardless, ants are laborious
creatures. And it’s fascinating to watch
them. They’re organized, don’t need to be
told what to do, take initiative, cooperate,
work together, and all for one purpose.
They know their jobs, and they get it done.
In other words, they have the best work
ethic. Heart Check.
What's
you work ethic like?
SEASONS
OF WISDOM | Proverbs 6:6-11
Here,
Solomon gives a warning against laziness.
This is not in direct opposition to rest—there
is a time for that. But he is saying that
we need to know the proper season for rest
and work. And when it’s time to work, we
need to use our time and energy wisely the
way the ant does.
Again,
this one cuts right into the marrow of my
bones because once I’m done with 12 hours
of Bible studying, I’m on the struggle bus.
The
last thing I want to do is fold laundry,
clean dishes, or go grocery shopping, let
alone be an Uber driver for my children.
But I have to look at this for the season
that it is. This won’t last forever, and
I will regret it if I spend my time looking
at social media or taking a nap when I could’ve
been spending time with my kids I know I
won’t always have. Heart Check.
Do
you know your seasons? Are you spending
your time and energy wisely within them?
Deep
Dive
How
can we guard our heart in practical ways?
If
we are to look straight ahead, what are
some of the things that may be on the side
of us and what would looking to the side
imply?
How
might wisdom and understanding protect against
immoral temptations? What role would we
serve in this protection?
How
can we take marital advice from a man who
had 700 wives and 300 concubines?
How
can we find the balance between proper rest
and laziness?
Look
at the 7 things God detests. Why did he
choose those 7 to highlight? What might
they lead to?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for another
rich reading of timeless wisdom.
We
see the importance of pursuing it, understanding
it, and applying it so that we will be able
to navigate this crazy life with a firm
footing. Thank you, Father, for continuing
to instruct us today through your Holy Spirit.
We are so grateful for the way you speak
to us through your Word, in our Spirit,
and through others. I pray that when we
hear a divine truth, promise, encouragement,
or even correction, we will not forsake
it but store it up in our hearts and bind
it around our necks so that we will never
stray from it. We know that your Word is
the very thing that gives us life and sustains
us. It does not lead us astray nor does
it ever run out of its life-changing power.
So may we hold fast to it all the days of
our lives.
If
we ever start to wander down the crooked
path or follow after those who might take
us there, will you nudge us back to your
way. We don’t want to stammer and stumble
through this life, so may we keep hold of
the reigns that you have given to us, and
I pray that we will guard your instructions
and guard our hearts by looking for the
road that is well-lit. Dark roads lead to
no place good. So continue to be that light
of dawn that shines brighter and brighter
as we look to you.
If
there is any crooked speech within us, wash
our mouth out with your Living Water. I
pray that we will put away any kind of talk
that is dishonoring to you. May we pay mind
to our future, looking ahead, thinking about
the steps we need to take, so that when
we come to a crossroads, we will be well-prepared
in which way to go. And if there are any
distractions to the right and to the left,
be our horse blinders, that keeps us focused
and diligent in running this race toward
your promise.
Keep
us from temptation—we know that it is unavoidable,
but we also know that you always give us
a way out, so help us to zone in on the
escape hatch and quickly run to it. I pray
that when we do face this, it will always
lead us back home to you. When we get there,
let us turn on the garden hose and water
our own grass, rather than looking over
at someone else’s property, thinking that
their lawn looks much better than ours.
Help us to appreciate what we have before
we insult you in saying that what you’ve
given us is not good enough.
Help
us to know our boundaries and our seasons,
so that we can be a blessing to others without
overextending ourselves and so that we will
work hard while we have the time and energy
to do so. Give us proper rest, and may we
not crave sleep beyond that. Give us the
energy we need to take on our daily work,
and I pray that we will do it with joy,
for in doing so, we will refiect your glory
to the world.
In
Proverbs 7,
Solomon encourages his son to keep his commandments
and instructions close to him while protecting
them as the eye does the pupil. Doing so
will keep him from the adulteress. He describes
a scene of a young, senseless man walking
near her house at night. She is dressed
provocatively and lures him into her home,
claiming her husband is away on a long journey.
She smooth-talks him until he follows her
“as an ox to a slaughter.” Solomon ends
with a final warning that should his son
fall into this trap, he will surely die
with her other victims.
Proverbs
8 is presented as a hymn of praise,
with wisdom personified as a woman publicly
broadcasting her call to all people to learn
from her. Her words are ones of nobility,
righteousness, and truth with no crookedness
or deceit in them. For those who understand,
there will be no confusion, and they will
gain an invaluable gift.
Solomon
displays the excellence of wisdom and how
prudence, knowledge, and discretion are
found among her. When one fears the Lord,
they will hate evil, including pride and
profanity. With wisdom, one will gain strength
and lead wisely with justice. Those who
diligently seek wisdom will find it, along
with wealth, honor, and righteousness. Solomon
also describes wisdom’s role in creation
as she was a guide to the hands of the Lord.
He ends the hymn with a call for all to
hear her voice and keep her ways. Those
who do will lead a blessed and favored life,
while those who do not will die.
Proverbs
9 presents wisdom as a gracious
hostess throwing a feast with meat and wine,
and all are invited. It is advised not to
try to correct a fool, for they will hate
you, whereas o£ering constructive
criticism to a wise man will lead to even
more wisdom, and they will love you even
more for it. It is stated, once again, that
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom and will lead to a long life. The
way of folly is presented as a parody of
wisdom, where she invites everyone to eat
her stolen scraps of food. Her water may
taste sweet initially, and the bread may
bring a moment of pleasure, but in the end,
it will lead to death.
REFLEX
| Proverbs 7:1-2
Solomon
is once again warning his son against adultery,
and the practical advice he is giving him
is, “Listen to what I am saying and guard
it with everything in you.” In other words,
just as the eye instinctively and instantly
protects the pupil or apple of the eye.
But it will never be instinctive if we have
nothing to protect. First, we must know
that we are susceptible and vulnerable in
any area. And secondly, when we recognize
the object fiying at us, we’ve gotta blink
(or bounce) real fast. There’s no being
Mr. Nice Guy in these kinds of situations
because the enemy doesn’t play nice. Heart
Check.
How
is your reflex when faced with temptation?
Is your response time quick? What are you
protecting?
VIEW
OF SEX | Proverbs 7:1-5
While
they had their challenges and temptations
back in this day, it’s as if the Holy Spirit
knew He needed to give some major warnings
against sexual immorality for 3 chapters,
because of how rampant it would be in our
day.
There
are so many other factors that have watered
down the way we view sex. Our society is
saturated with sexual content and advertisements,
society as a whole has become a lot more
permissive of it, there is easy access to
pornography, there is a disconnect between
sex and reproduction because of the ease
of abortion and birth control, divorce is
easy, the anonymity of social media makes
for secret encounters, the large gap between
puberty and marriage (the average age of
marriage is now 28 years old), and an overall
lack of a moral compass and fear of the
Lord. Heart Check.
What
is your view of sex like? Do you view it
through the eyese of God or society?
MOVING
CLOSER | Proverbs 8:13
Love
for evil and love for God cannot coexist.
It’s gonna be one or the other. And here
Solomon says that the more you fear the
Lord, the more you will hate evil—it’s a
natural progression.
It’s
important to remember that hating evil does
not mean hating people. It’s quite the opposite.
The more you fear the Lord, the more you
should love people while hating evil.
So,
instead of fighting against them, you fight
for them in prayer and love. But if we are
harboring secret sin, we are essentially
tolerating evil and moving away from the
Lord rather than toward Him. Heart Check.
Are
you moving closer to the Lord? Is your hatered
for evil and love for people growing?
DILIGENT
SEARCH | Proverbs 8:17
While
this is wisdom speaking here, we know that
the essence of wisdom lies within Jesus
Himself. So, it would be proper for God
to speak these statements. In fact, He did
say that those who seek Him will find Him,
the same way it's spoken here of wisdom.
Being
diligent in our search means we are doing
it early on—early in life, early in the
day, early in our circumstances. This doesn’t
mean that if you wake up late, that you
are less than. Nor does it mean that if
you became a Christian later in life, you
are somehow lower on the totem pole.
Early
is subjective. Some people’s “mornings”
start in the evening when they work the
midnight shift. Seeking Him early in life
may not come if you aren’t exposed to or
taught about Him early on. But the moment
you do know, being diligent means responding
quickly, taking the initiative, and being
intentional in your search like a good student
who goes to class early. Heart Check.
Are
you dilgently seeking Him? Is your search
zealous, responsive, and intentional?
SCHOOL
OF WISDOM | Proverbs 8:34
This,
once again, shows the intentionality behind
getting wisdom. Solomon is portraying it
as if it’s a school where you go to learn
from a wise professor. It’s not going to
happen by accident.
And
for the most part, at some point in our
lives, we despise school—it feels like a
waste of time, or we can think of so many
other things we could be doing with our
time.
But
in the end, it’s invaluable and such a gift
that leads to a blessed life. Heart Check.
Are
you intentionally attending the school of
wisdom? Or is your mind wandering to the
other places you wish you could be?
RECEIVING
CRITICISM | Proverbs 9:7-9
One
of the pre-requisite courses in the College
of wisdom is Criticism 101. The wisest of
men can discern between constructive criticism
and destructive criticism because they took
this course and passed. But if you reject
all criticism and refuse to be teachable,
you’ll never gain the wisdom that comes
with it. Most of us would rather be complimented—it’s
human nature.
Criticism
doesn’t feel good. But this is why we can’t
navigate this life by feeling alone.
In
fact, Norman Vincent Peale once said, “The
problem with this world is that we would
rather be destroyed by compliments than
saved by criticism.”
I’ve
had to learn this along the way—there are
people who will say things just to tear
me down or make me feel bad (for which the
ignorance is bliss or petty delete button
exists), but there are others who want me
to be better and will bring loving correction
to get me there.
This
is a good thing! Heart Check.
How
do you receive criticism? Can you discern
when it is constructive vs. destructive?
Do you have a teachable spirit? Or do you
get defensive?
Deep
Dive
What
importance do we see in keeping wisdom and
understanding close to our hearts?
How
can we apply these teachings to our lives
to avoid destruction?
What
is a modern-day example of an adulterous
woman?
How
would you personify wisdom and foolishness?
Where
do they show up and call us today?
What
do their invitations look like? Have you
encountered them? How did you respond? How
might you RSVP in the future?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the gracious invitation
to dine with you at your table of wisdom.
I
pray that we never forsake your invitation
while RSVPing to the house of the fool.
Help us to see these invitations for what
they are and to discern their intent and
destination. We desire to seek you with
all diligence so that we know when temptation
is knocking at our door. I pray for an increase
in discernment and a heavy presence of your
Spirit that can guide us in the way we protect
our hearts and minds from straying.
We
know that we live in a world that is heavily
infiuenced through its ease and access to
immoral conduct and content, and as it desensitizes
the minds of society, I pray that we will
resist the enemy and his usage of this weapon
to try to destroy us from within. It begins
in our minds and hearts, so may we keep
ourselves focused on you so that we do not
get distracted by the things that society
declares permissive while blatantly dishonoring
you.
If
we have been naïve in any way to the
seriousness of this, please forgive us.
Will you continue to show us, through your
word and teaching, which path leads to righteousness,
honor, and blessing so that we are able
to take the right turns when we hear the
voices calling to us in the streets and
inviting us to dine with them.
I
pray that we will find our security, satisfaction,
and identity in you so that we don’t go
looking for admiration in the wrong places.
Keep us from the house of the forbidden
ones, and I pray that we will always be
able to see beyond a moment of pleasure
into the consequences of the future. Help
us to weigh the costs and not just the idea
of getting caught. We know that your plans
for us are ones of prosperity, to give us
a hope and a future, whereas the plan of
the enemy is to steal, kill, and destroy.
And we know the choices we make today will
profoundly impact our future, so may they
always permeate wisdom.
So
if our spirits are being corrected in any
way, I pray that we will heed that voice.
May we always remain teachable while not
cowering to those voices that are simply
trying to tear down. Give us the wisdom
to know the difference.
So
as we diligently seek you, please keep our
feet firmly planted on solid ground so that
we do not sink when we take a step. If wisdom
was guiding your hands in the creation of
the world, it will be a drop in the bucket
to guide our steps.
So
we delight ourselves in you today and thank
you for this word of instruction.
Thank
you for allowing us to hear this timely
message. May we always be at your door early,
knowing that when it opens, we will find
life and favor.
In
Proverbs 10 through 22, we begin to see
Solomon speak of wisdom in two-phrase contrasts,
describing character traits that will be
visible in the life of one living in righteousness
and the other who is self-seeking and living
in wickedness. Those who are righteous will
live wisely with their time, thoughts, gifts,
and opportunities. They will display characteristics
that set them apart from others: integrity,
hope, harmony, security, humility, and encouragement
will come from their lips and actions. He
shows how wisdom from the Lord allows us
to live life as God has intended for us--
with Him by our side, uplifting those around
us, and giving Him glory. Without that wisdom,
we would live a life that is not only centered
on what we can get out of situations and
others but foolishly believing we have all
the answers. This can cause strife in our
relationships with others and lead to the
buildup of hatred and envy, which ultimately
holds us back from the full potential of
God's plan for us.
In
Proverbs 11, Solomon highlights the talents,
gifts, and resources of the Lord. Whether
material or spiritual, they should be used
wisely. The Lord rewards us according to
how we use these things for others and His
glory. The wise will use them generously
and with integrity and will seek for others
to fiourish as well. He also shows the power
in the words we speak which can either be
used to uplift others or tear them down.
They can even lead to a person's own destruction.
He reminds us that earthly gain is temporary
and ultimately meaningless when we think
beyond this life and all eternity. Those
who live with honor and integrity will fiourish
in the wisdom of the Lord.
In
Proverbs 12, Solomon continues to describe
how those who are willing to humble themselves
and allow themselves to be taught will gain
much wisdom in this life.
Living
a life of honesty and working for the Lord
in our daily lives along with
self-control
over our tongues are the main themes seen
in the lives of those living righteously.
A heart that is boastful will mirror characters
of vanity, deceit, and laziness. In the
end, their e£orts serve no purpose
except as an o£ense to the Lord.
PROUD
FATHER | Proverbs 10:1
It
has been said that a mother's emotions will
be more greatly affected by their children’s
foolishness whereas fathers are more prone
to be proud when their children do well.
While
we refer to our God as our Father, He encompasses
both traits, as men and women are made in
His image. So when we act like fools, we
break his heart.
But
when we do well and please Him, He is like
that proud Father who wants to show our
picture to everyone He talks to and speaks
highly of us wherever He goes. Heart Check.
Are
you making your Heavenly Father proud? Would
He want to show off your picture to those
in heaven?
LAZY
DAYS | Proverbs 10:4
The
general principle here is that laziness
will lead to poverty whereas hard work will
lead to riches. We know that isn’t always
the case, as there are a lot of hard-working
people who are still living in poverty and
a lot of rich people who are lazy.
But
the idea is that we are all given 24 hours
and an opportunity to use our time and energy
wisely, rather than wasting the day. I don’t
know about you, but when I have a productive
day, I go to bed satisfied. But if I’ve
been lazy, and I go to bed with a messy
house and a to-do list that hasn’t been
touched, I go to bed and then wake up again
with anxiety. Heart Check.
How
lazy are your days? Are you using your time
wisely and being productive?
TALK
LESS, LISTEN MORE | Proverbs 10:19
Solomon
has spoken quite a bit about the words that
come out of our mouths, and it’s because
what comes out of our mouths will reveal
what is in our hearts. Our words are a good
gauge of the heart condition.
And
if we have a mouth running faster than everyone
else’s, the likelihood of us listening and
learning is much less. God gave us two eyes,
two ears, and one mouth, meaning He wants
us to observe and listen twice as much as
we talk. But some of us have to have the
first and the last word and most of the
ones in between. We scold our kids more
than we encourage them. We nitpick at what
our spouse is doing rather than praising
them.
Or
we gossip at work rather than being productive.
When we do that, the image of our heart
that is being projected is not a pretty
one. Some might say, “I don’t care what
they think,” but we should because God doesn’t
have an ugly heart.
So
if our words are not life-giving, encouraging,
and wise, we aren’t reflecting our life-giving,
encouraging, and wise Father. And Solomon
says that the one who is able to hold their
tongue when they want to lash out is wise.
But the more we talk, the probability of
us sinning is a lot higher. So, we would
be wise to listen more than we speak. Heart
Check.
Do
you talk or listen more? Do your words reflect
the Father's heart?
POWER
OF WORDS | Proverbs 11:9
This
goes right along with the saying that the
power of life and death is in the tongue.
This means our mouths are either weapons
to destroy or a way for healing and building
up. In the way that we speak to others,
we will either be on the demolition team
or the construction team. Heart Check.
Are
you on the demolition team or costruction
team in the way that you speak to others?
TRUSTWORTHY
| Proverbs 11:13
When
someone learns of a secret, they are faced
with protecting that information or passing
it on like a game of Telephone.
And
we all know how that game goes when the
original message takes on a life of its
own and gets so skewed by the end of the
line. This is why the Lord speaks against
gossip; there is often false information
or skewed perspectives that taint the truth.
So, trustworthy people will not continue
to spread rumors but will allow them to
die with them. Heart Check.
Are
you trustworthy? When you hear something,
do you cover it and let it die, or do you
flame and continue to spread it?
WISE
COUNSEL | Proverbs 11:14
When
you look at any organization that is thriving,
there is typically a leader such as a CEO
or president, but they usually have a board
of directors or a council of some sort that
helps to guide them in bigger decisions
and to maintain the structure of the organization.
This
is what this proverb is referring to—any
wise leader will surround themselves with
wise counsel, because there is not one person
who possesses all the wisdom in the world.
We need the same as individuals—people who
can help to guide us, people who will speak
truth to us, and people who we can trust
to give us wise instruction when we are
facing a big decision. We all need accountability
partners. Heart Check.
Do
you have faithful counselors in your life?
Who do you go to for advice and who
holds you accountable?
PRAYER
SEASONING | Proverbs 12:27
There
are sport hunters and fishermen and there
are those who do it to put food on the table.
This verse is speaking about those who love
the thrill of the catch, but they don’t
want to do the dirty work of scaling the
fish, cleaning it, cutting it up, let alone
cooking it.
And
spiritually speaking, this can be compared
to bible study vs. prayer. Anyone can read
and study the Bible, but that doesn’t necessarily
make them tight with Jesus. It’s in the
time of prayer and meditation that will
lead to that deeper relationship. If a pastor
spends his whole week preparing for a sermon
and only 5 minutes in prayer, that will
lead to lesser seasoned meal. But when he
calls down the fire of the Spirit in prayer,
the seasoning that comes with that will
bring fire to the sanctuary. Heart Check.
How
much time do you spend in prayer in comparison
to how much you study?
Deep
Dive
What
are the main themes and contrasts throughout
these chapters?
What
lessons can we learn from this?
How
is the power of our words depicted?
As
you read through these, can you think of
real life situations where these proverbs
would or have applied?
How
has technology lent to the concept of hard
work? Has it changed? What are the outcomes?
How
do the proverbs use gender roles? Are the
proverbs regarding them universal?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for carving out the path
of righteousness through these proverbs
today.
I
pray that we all stored up just a little
more wisdom so that we can make you proud,
Father. How it grieves us to think about
breaking your heart, so I pray that you
will keep us in the way of the wise son,
who listens to and obeys your words. I pray
that we will walk with integrity and righteousness,
being diligent and bringing you glory in
all things.
Help
us to know the seasons and the most productive
use of our time and energy. We want to steward
the gift of time well, so I pray that you
will give us a boost of energy when we are
feeling sluggish or lazy, and that we will
sieze the opportunities that present themselves
before us every single day.
We
know that when we walk in integrity, our
feet will face forward, and we will not
stray. So help us to be a people of love
and patience, keeping watch over our hearts
and mouths so that they will be a foundation
of life for others. If there is any hatred
dwelling within us, I pray that you will
cancel it out and fill in the space with
your love so that all o£enses can
be covered. May we choose to be a people
who cover rather than expose unnecessarily.
We don’t want to have the mouth of a babbling
fool who slanders, spreads rumors, or lies
in order to gain power or prestige. While
it may for a second, it won’t last and will
only end in disaster. So may our words be
ones that build up, encourage, and give
life.
We
pray for good friends and wise counsel.
Surround us with like-minded people who
love you and who want the best for their
friends. We desire to have that accountability
and fellowship in our lives, for with an
abundance of counselors there is safety.
Help us to be those good friends to others
who will speak truth and love unconditionally
while showing mercy and kindness to all.
We
humble our hearts before you today so that
we posture ourselves to receive this wisdom
and put it to practice. We know that those
who diligently seek you will find favor
and will bear much fruit. So may we be like
fruit bearing trees that are firmly planted
and will never be shaken. In seasons of
correction, help us not to reject it but
to receive it with humility, knowing that
it is for our best. So may we be diligent
in all that we do from this day forward
so that we will bring you glory and honor.
In
Proverbs 13, Solomon speaks on the value
and benefits of accepting instruction and
allowing redirection when one has found
oneself in error. The wise take the time
to listen, accept counsel, and keep their
minds on hard work. Their hard work and
discipline will lead to a content life and
a satisfied soul. He contrasts that with
a fool who continues on his path despite
the consequences and how others are affected
by their errors. Hard work, diligence, satisfaction,
and justice are far from the one who disregards
wise counsel-- their life is marked with
hatred and shame in the eyes of the Lord.
Those who are wise should avoid a foolish
person so that they do not fall into the
trap of their lifestyle.
In
Proverbs 14, we see the distinction between
having wisdom and lacking understanding.
Eventually, each will be evident in a person's
life. Refusing to grow in knowledge and
understanding will keep one naive and unable
to recognize the foolish characters. Wisdom
allows one to revere the Lord as He deserves
and care for his neighbors with mercy, honesty,
and sympathy. If wisdom is despised, deceit
very often follows. A leader who does not
surround themselves with wise counsel inevitably
sets themselves up for shame to follow.
Ultimately, the wicked will be banished
from the Lord's presence, and the righteous
will enjoy safety and comfort with the Lord.
In
Proverbs 15, we explore the characteristics
of words that are heard from the wise. A
wise person displays humility, honor, and
a caring disposition. They work to calm
and keep the peace while fools stir up strife
in their anger. A fool will rely on their
wisdom and continue to become increasingly
foolish in their lack of self-control. God
has His eye on both the wise and the foolish--
nothing escapes His notice. Both the wise
and foolish will receive rewards according
to whether their actions delighted Him or
remained in rebellion against Him
THINK
BEFORE SPEAKING | Proverbs 13:3
When
we first start talking, parents don’t need
to worry about what comes out of our mouths—all
they care about is that there are words
at all.
You
will often hear parents guiding their children
by saying, “Use your words.” But as a child
grows older, and they’re stumbling over
their words, that phrase turns into, “Think
about what you’re trying to say before you
talk.” And that “think before you speak”
continues into adulthood.
In
fact, there’s an acronym for THINK that
helps guide your words. Heart Check.
Do
you THINK before you speak? Is what you're
saying (T)ruthful. (H)elpful, (I)nspring,
(N)ecessary, (K)ind?
SOURCE
OF LIGHT | Proverbs 13:9
Righteousness
is often likened to light, as godliness
is displayed through a person. Jesus is
the Light of the World, and so should we
be.
Whereas
the wicked might parade around as light,
just as Satan masquerades himself as an
angel of light, they only have darkness
within. As we look within ourselves… Heart
Check.
Are
you a source of lighty for others? Do people
come to you when they are in need of prayer,
encouragment, or advice?
ROOTS
OF CONTENTION | Proverbs 13:10
Whenever
there’s constant contention or fighting,
there is usually a pest or root of pride
on one side. The only way to cure it is
by spraying some pesticides on it.
In
other words, we must kill the root of pride
by dying to self. That’s what Paul tells
us. And even though it might initially hurt
the ego a little to stop the fight before
it even starts, the result of peace is so
worth it.
You
can solve issues without fighting. But constant
strife will never lead to real solutions.
Heart Check.
Is
ther constant contention in your life? Have
you checked the roots? Do they need to be
sprayed?
LITTLE
BY LITTLE | Proverbs 13:11
Because
I am an impulsive person by nature, the
type who wants to go from A to Z in Mach
1, this proverb always encourages me. I’m
a visionary, and I tend to get tripped up
in the middle because I don’t like all the
in-between details.
It’s
part of that creative brain. Before I even
got to Miss America, I was already declaring
that I didn’t want to win, because that
meant I would have an entire year of the
in-between. I was ready for the next goal
before getting to the top.
I’ve
done many things throughout my life because
I would get there quickly and be ready for
the next. But what I’ve learned is that
when you put your head down and allow the
middle of the journey to grow you—when you
gather little by little, the wealth that
you gain is so much more valuable because
this life is a journey, not a destination.
We will get there one day, but the here
and now is for our enjoyment.
I
see now that the Lord is all about this—while
He will sometimes bless you abundantly and
quickly, most of the time, He is slow and
steady. Heart Check.
Are
you so focused on the destination that you
forget to enjoy the journey? Ate you discouraged
when things are moving a little too slowly
or you're gathering too little at a time?
FAITHFUL
MESSENGER | Proverbs 13:17
In
a sense, this is a warning to all of us
as believers, because we are the hands and
feet and the mouthpieces of Jesus. We are
all called to be messengers and to take
the gospel throughout the earth. The message
is simple:
Jesus
loves you. He is for you. He has a plan
for your life. He's ready to forgive.
He’s
the only way to heaven. That simple message
is at the end of every video—the one that
leads people to recognize their need for
a savior and, hopefully, lead them to receive
Him as Lord, and begin the transformation
process. But if we don’t even know the message,
how will we be faithful messengers? Heart
Check.
Are
you a faithful messenger? Do you know the
message? Are you taking it to the world?
BUILD
YOUR HOME | Proverbs 14:1
We
have the power to make the environment in
our home a good one or a bad one (granted,
there are isolated situations where this
is out of our control).
But
we can build our homes in prayer, encouragement,
teaching, and discipline. Early on in our
marriage, I was so discontent that I would
bring anxious energy into the room, giving
my husband anxiety.
But
now that my heart is content, there is so
much more peace in our home. Heart Check.
Are
you building your home or tearing it down?
What do you bring into the house each day?
Joy and peace? Or anxiety and contention?
WALKING
IN RIGHTEOUSNESS | Proverbs 14:2
When
we are saved, we are immediately clothed
in robes of righteousness, meaning we have
a right standing with God.
We
are new creations, meaning we don’t stay
the same. So salvation doesn’t stop at the
prayer. We must now walk upright to maintain
our relationship with Jesus and to prove
our faith and fear of the Lord. We must
BE what we are declared. Heart Check.
Are
you walking in righteousness? Ate you different
from before?
EMBRACE
THE MESS | Proverbs 14:4
When
I first got married, one of the major points
of contention was the messiness in our house.
My husband is meticulous, and I’m a little
messy. I remember the time that our marriage
counselor told my husband, “Gye, you’re
gonna die when you have kids if you can’t
embrace a little bit of mess.”
He
wasn’t excusing messiness or disorder, but
he was trying to get him to a place where
he knew that the greatest blessings in life
would sometimes fiow out of a big ol’ mess.
Kids
are messy—but the greatest blessing.
Sometimes,
we will avoid increases and blessings in
our lives because we fear the mess we may
have to deal with, so we refuse to take
a step of faith. That’s what this proverb
is speaking of. You can either do nothing
and keep everything nice and tidy and have
nothing to clean up. Or you can step out
and bring in the oxen, which will inevitably
bring some hard work and messiness. But
the reward will be well worth it. Heart
Check.
Are
you afraid of the mess? Or are you willing
to embrace the mess for a greater reward?
(**Side
note: Don’t forget to clean up the mess.
God is not a God of disorder)
RUNNING
WITH EXCELLENCE | Proverbs 14:8
One
of Satan’s greatest ploys is to make us
think we can do whatever we want. But we
know that God has a specific purpose in
line for our lives.
If
we deceive ourselves into thinking that
we can also walk in everyone else’s purpose,
then we will ultimately fail to carry out
our own with excellence. So we can stop
trying to do it all. And stay in our own
lane. That will free us up from so much
anxiety.
I’m
guilty of this—I think I can do it all on
my own, and I end quitting before I even
start. But the Lord is teaching me to accept
help when people offer, and I see how
it is expanding His glory when I do that
and also giving me a little room to breathe
so that I can once again cast vision. Heart
Check.
Are
you a do it all? Do you try to run in everyone
else's lane? Or do you stick toyour own
and run with excellance?
SMOOTH
ANSWERS | Proverbs 15:1
We
can look at our words like oil—they have
many uses. Oil can be used as a means for
smoothing and healing, or they can be fuel
for a fire.
So,
a soft answer is a word without harsh points
or jagged edges. It is already bu£ed
out and can calm a potential storm.
Harsh
responses might feel good initially to get
it out, but they usually add fuel to the
fire. Heart Check. How do you answer? With
smooth words? Or harsh and jaggedy ones?
Are
you a do it all? Do you try to run in everyone
else's lane? Or do you stick toyour own
and run with excellance?
PLEASANT
THOUGHTS | Proverbs 15:26
Human
nature assumes that thoughts are secret
and cannot be read.
This
is true on a basic level, but with God,
there is no such thing as secret thoughts.
He sees all and knows all. With that said…
Heart Check.
What
are your thoughts like? Are they pleasing
to the Lord?
Deep
Dive
What
is compared in today’s reading, and how
can you apply these lessons to your life?
How
have you seen discipline, or the lack thereof,
a£ect a person’s life? How can we
e£ectively implement it into our own
lives and the lives of our children? What
does Paul say about this in the New Testament?
How
can a way seem right to a person but lead
to death? How can this be avoided?
How
is the power of our words on display in
these Proverbs? Why might there be such
an emphasis on it?
What
messages might have Jesus pulled from Proverbs?
Heavenly
Father, We are so grateful for this guidebook
to life.
Some
of these proverbs may seem so obvious, but
when we take a deeper look into our own
hearts, we realize they were only sitting
at the gates and never truly penetrated
within. Thank you for showing us once again
what it takes to live wisely, to work diligently,
to speak truthfully, and to understand the
value of discipline.
We
know that when we are able to control our
thoughts, emotions, and words, the outcome
is so much di£erent than if we just
allow our tempers to have their tantrums.
But that isn’t productive. How much more
effective patience and silence has—help
us to have that kind of spirit that doesn’t
have outbursts but puts a lot of thought
into our reaction and before we speak. We
want to only speak words that are truthful,
helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.
That will require us taking our thoughts
captive and making them obedient to you.
So let the words of my mouth and the meditations
of my heart be pleasing to you, O my Lord.
Thank
you for the promise that when we delight
ourselves in you, you will give us the desire
of our hearts. So it always begins with
our relationship with you. Everything hinges
upon that.
I
pray that we have the right perspective
and understanding of your greatness so that
there is a natural reverence and fear that
will bring us to wisdom. When those longings
that we have in the deepest seats of our
soul are fulfilled, it will be a tiny glimpse
into the Garden of Eden and our glorious
future in your kingdom here on earth.
I
pray that we will be disciplined in every
part of our lives, both physically and spiritually,
so that we are not subject to the rod of
discipline or correction. I pray that your
Holy Spirit will nudge us when we are going
o£ course before we take a wrong turn
and have to painfully swerve back. We know
a reward awaits those who stay on your path
that you’ve carved out for us.
So
I pray that we will not try to get into
everyone else’s lane. Let us stay planted
within our own territory, honing the skills
that we have and using the gifts that you’ve
given to us for your glory.
May
everything we do be rooted in integrity
and wisdom so that as we navigate this life,
we will be led by your Spirit and the discernment
that you have given to us. May we be a people
who build up and don’t tear down. And if
we face these types of weapons against us,
help us to stand and endure the pain for
a bit, knowing and fully trusting that their
weapons won’t endure.
I
pray that we will be kind to all, bearing
mercy and truth everywhere we go. May our
answers be tender and not harsh, thoughtful
and not impulsive. We don’t want to ever
breed deceit, so I pray that we will use
our knowledge for good.
We
thank you for your watchful eye over all
of us, for nothing is hidden from you, and
that brings us comfort today. Let this be
a guide for our daily walk, welcoming your
Presence every step of the way. And as we
partner with you in this life, we know that
it will be like a continual feast of joy
and blessing. We value this over anything
that this world could ever o£er us,
so thank you for the invitation. We are
eternally grateful.
Proverbs
16 emphasizes God's sovereignty and the
importance of aligning our plans with His
will. It contrasts the wisdom of righteous
living with the folly of wickedness. Verses
1-9 describe God's Sovereignty, addressing
man-made plans and divine direction. While
humans make plans, God ultimately directs
their steps. This section encourages trust
in God's guidance and alignment of our plans
with His will. Verse 3 highlights the attributes
of humility and dependence on the Lord.
Our commitment to our activities to the
Lord promises that our plans will succeed
when we depend on Him. Verses 10-15 describe
an ideal king, righteous and wise, refiecting
the qualities of Jesus as the ultimate King
who rules with justice and fairness. While
verses 16-33 contrast wisdom and folly.
Wisdom is more valuable than gold and silver.
Wise living leads to life and honor, while
folly leads to destruction.
Proverbs
17 contrasts the characteristics of the
wise with those of fools, addressing themes
of family harmony, honesty, friendship,
and the consequences of wickedness. Verses
1-6 emphasize virtues, family harmony, honesty,
and integrity. "Better is a dry morsel
with peace than a house full of feasting
with strife (verse 1)." Virtues like
honesty and integrity are emphasized, with
the warning that God sees and judges the
heart. Verses 7-21 paint the relationship
between sins and consequences due to foolishness
and confiict while contrasting it with the
value of loyal friendship. The closing verses
of 22-28 highlight the discernment of Godly
wisdom, speech through a controlled tongue,
and spiritual health.
Proverbs
18 delves into the power of words, the value
of wisdom, and the importance of relationships.
It provides insights into the impact of
speech and the importance of seeking understanding.
A key verse found within verses 1-8 highlights
the power of words. The consequences of
speech mean that our words can bring life
or death.
Reckless
words can pierce like a sword, but wise
words bring healing. At the same time, listening
and understanding paint the picture of a
fool vs a wise one. A fool takes no pleasure
in understanding but delights in airing
his own opinions (verse 2).
In
contrast, wisdom, e£ective listening,
and understanding are the characteristics
of a wise person. Diligent e£orts
and wise actions lead to success. In comparison,
laziness leads to ruin because the wise
seek knowledge and understanding, valuing
them above riches and ending with an emphasis
on relationships and justice.
COMMITTED
EFFORT | Proverbs 16:9
We
recently moved to Georgia, and there are
several landscaping issues with the grade
of our land and the plants in our front
garden around the home. Most of it has been
poorly planned and implemented.
So,
it got me thinking… How does a skilled gardener
plan their garden? The gardener plans where
to plant each seed, carefully mapping out
the garden's layout - considering the zone
for planting and the grade of the land for
erosion control in conjunction with the
soil type present.
However,
the growth and fiourishing of the plants
depend on the sunlight, rain, and soil—factors
beyond the gardener’s control. Similarly,
we make plans and work hard to execute them,
but true success and direction come from
committing our e£orts to God. By entrusting
our work to Him, we allow Him to nurture
and guide our steps, leading us to growth
and success we couldn’t achieve on our own.
In the end, we do the work (making sure
it is committed to him first in verse 3)
but place the results in the hands of the
Lord. Heart Check.
Are
you allowing God to nurture and guide your
efforts, or are you relying soley on your
own plans? How can you better commit your
work to the Lord today?
CHOSEN
| Proverbs 16:16
Do
you remember being the last one picked for
a team in school sports or the last girl
asked to prom? It can feel like you’re always
missing out. However, God's choice of you
is di£erent. He sees your value beyond
societal status or material wealth. When
you choose to seek wisdom and understanding
through His Word, you gain something far
more precious than gold or silver. YOU ARE
CHOSEN! Heart Check.
Do
you prioritize seeking God's wisdom over
chasing material success? How can you invest
more in your spiritual growth and understanding
today?
OVER
KICKING | Proverbs 16:18
Think
about a time when you were overconfident,
maybe in a sport or a project, only to fail
because you underestimated the challenge
or overestimated your abilities.
In
Africa, I greatly overestimated my soccer
abilities. During a charity event in my
small African village, I completely missed
the ball and ended up on my rear! Was it
pride or a haughty spirit that led to this
occasion? Perhaps. But I learned to stop
overestimating my athletic abilities and
stuck to my zone of genius - overseeing
the event as a whole.
Pride
can blind us to our weaknesses and lead
us to downfall. Humility, however, keeps
us grounded and receptive to growth and
correction. Heart Check.
Is
there an area in your life where pride might
be leading you toward a fall? How can you
pratice humility and seek God's guidance
to avoid pitfalls?
WEEDS
| Proverbs 17:9
Ok,
back to my yard. After removing trees to
create some margin in our yard to play as
a family of seven! We have weeds galore
because good grass has not been planted.
So, imagine a yard full of weeds and a beautiful
garden filled with fiowers.
When
a weed pops up, you have two choices: carefully
remove it, allowing your garden to fiourish,
or you can ignore it, letting it spread
and choke out the beauty around it.
There
is a third option, and it is much more destructive—mow
it over with all the other precious fiowers
as my husband did and lose any semblance
of beauty and growth.
Similarly,
in our relationships, offenses, and
confiicts are like those weeds. We remove
the obstacles to love and trust by addressing
them with grace and forgiveness. On the
other hand, repeating or dwelling on these
o£enses is like letting the weeds
spread, which can damage and destroy the
harmony in our relationships.
In
my own life, I see this play out in my marriage.
I can carefully remove the o£enses
of past hurts, like words spoken in anger,
by forgiving and moving on. Or, I can dwell
on them and constantly bring them up to
my husband, letting them fester and grow.
One of the most damaging things I can do
is to constantly nag him, which is like
a weed that chokes out our love. It truly
will “separate close friends.” My very words
would be the weeds damaging our relationship.
So, with this Heart Check, refiect on your
relationships and words.
Are
there any "weeds" of past grievances
in your relationships that you need to forgive
and let go? How can you be more mindful
of your words to ensure they build up your
relationships rather than tear them down?
WISE
SILENCE | Proverbs 17:28
During
an internship, I eagerly asked my mentor
for feedback after interning at a golf tournament.
I was enthusiastic and asked everyone I
interacted with about my speech, actions,
and judgment. When my mentor finally provided
feedback, I was surprised by his key advice:
"Talk less." He explained that
while my openness and vulnerability were
commendable, I dominated conversations and
didn't allow others to speak or be vulnerable
in return. By talking the entire time, I
missed opportunities to truly listen and
learn. He pointed out that silence could
be more insightful because it encourages
the other person to continue speaking, often
leading to deeper and more meaningful conversations.
Just
as my mentor advised, Proverbs 17:28 highlights
the value of holding our tongues. Even a
fool is considered wise when silent, and
a discerning person when they speak less.
By embracing silence and listening more,
we create space for others to share their
thoughts and feelings, fostering better
relationships and understanding. Heart CHeck.
Are
there times ib your life where you could
benefit from talking less and listening
more? How can you intentionally create space
for others to speak, and how might this
change your interactions and relationships?
ISOLATION
| Proverbs 18:1
Imagine
a time when you've felt overwhelmed or burdened,
and your natural instinct was to withdraw
from others. This verse speaks to the danger
of isolating oneself. It suggests that seeking
isolation can lead to poor decisions and
a lack of sound judgment because we are
not meant to go through life alone. This
verse is directed towards a selfish conceited
person; today we would describe this person
as a lone ranger.
But
it rub my spirit in a way that felt too
familiar - depression. While this proverb
isn't specifically about depression, it's
important to acknowledge that isolation
can be a symptom or result of depression.
Depression
is a profound struggle many face, myself
included, and the Bible provides insight
and encouragement for those experiencing
it. For instance, Psalms contains many passages
where the writers express deep feelings
of despair and depression.
Bible
Verses on Depression:
1.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit." This
verse assures us that God is close to those
who are experiencing deep emotional pain.
2.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope
in God; for I shall again praise him, my
salvation and my God." The psalmist
acknowledges his depression but encourages
hope in God.
3. Elijah
experienced a moment of deep despair and
wanted to die, but God provided for him
and helped him recover. This story shows
that even God's prophets experienced profound
lows and needed God's help.
4. Paul
describes his despair and feeling of being
burdened beyond his strength, yet he finds
hope and deliverance in God. Paul’s honesty
about his struggles o£ers comfort
that depression is something that can be
faced with God’s help.
Heart
Check.
Are
there times when you isolate yourself from
others? How does this affect your mental
and emotional well-being? How can you reach
out for support difficult times instead
of withdrawing?
(***Sidedar:
By acknowledging the struggle of depression
and seeking connection and support, we can
align with the wisdom of Proverbs 18:1 and
the broader biblical teaching that we are
not alone in our struggles. Reaching out
to others and to God can help us navigate
through tough times. We also encourage any
fellow Bible study friends to reach out
to their local churches and/ or Christian
counseling for therapy. We are not meant
to battle this alone.)
Deep
Dive
How
do you see God's sovereignty at work in
your life, especially in times of difficulty
or uncertainty?
What
practical steps can you take to commit your
plans to the Lord and trust in His direction?
Reflect
on a time when a challenging situation was
turned for good. How did you see God's hand
in it?
In
what ways can you seek and practice wisdom
in your daily interactions and decisions?
How
do your words impact those around you? What
changes can you make to ensure your speech
brings life and healing?
How
can you cultivate deeper, more meaningful
relationships that reflect godly principles
and support your spiritual growth?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for being a God of wisdom
and guidance.
Your
Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to
our path, showing us the way we should go.
May we never take for granted the blessings
You provide through Your Word, guiding us
to walk in Your will and not our own.
For
those struggling with depression, be their
comfort and strength. Wrap them in Your
love and peace, reminding them that You
are near to the brokenhearted and save those
who are crushed in spirit.
For
those who feel the need to control every
detail, grant them the peace that comes
from trusting in Your sovereignty. Help
them to release their grip and allow You
to establish their steps, knowing that Your
plans are greater than their own.
For
those who battle procrastination and laziness,
inspire them with a sense of purpose and
discipline. Give them the motivation to
commit their work to You and trust that
You will guide their efforts.
Establish
our footsteps and our path so that we seek
You daily. Align our ambitions and hearts
with Your will. Illuminate any darkness
within us, shining light into the deepest
parts of our hearts. Purify and refine us.
Lord,
we seek to be fair and kind, leading with
integrity in all our relationships. May
Your Holy Spirit intervene so our words
honor You and glorify Your name. Continue
to be our source of wisdom and discernment,
delivering the needy and poor from oppression
and violence.
Grant
us the wisdom to use our speech to edify
and build up others, not to harm or destroy.
Shine Your light on our words, judgment,
and discernment, so we may lead and live
with righteousness. Help us to be a good
example to those around us, refiecting Your
love and truth in all we say and do.
Proverbs
19 emphasizes the importance of wisdom,
integrity, and kindness. It contrasts the
outcomes of foolishness and laziness with
those of wisdom and diligence, underscoring
that a wise person values learning and correction.
The
chapter highlights the significance of relationships,
urging kindness and patience while warning
against the destructive nature of anger.
Self-control and discipline are also key
themes, with advice to avoid gossip and
laziness, promoting a life guided by wisdom
and good judgment.
Proverbs
20 focuses on honesty, hard work, and the
power of speech. It extols the virtues of
being honest and diligent while warning
against the dangers of drunkenness and laziness.
Wisdom
is portrayed as crucial for making fair
judgments and maintaining a good reputation.
The chapter also underscores the importance
of restraint in speech, advising against
quarrels and highlighting the value of integrity.
It calls for a life marked by wisdom, hard
work, and careful, thoughtful speech.
Proverbs
21 underscores the paramount importance
of righteousness and justice, stating that
these are more valuable to God than sacrifice.
It
teaches that while people make plans, it
is ultimately God who determines their outcome,
emphasizing the necessity of seeking divine
guidance. The chapter also contrasts the
benefits of diligence and prudence with
the folly of pursuing pleasure and ignoring
wisdom. It calls for a life led by righteousness,
justice, and diligent pursuit of wisdom
and prudent actions.
PATIENCE
| Proverbs 19:2
I’ve
told the story before about when I saw myself
on my home security cameras and how frantic
I looked just walking out the door.
I
partly inherited this from my dad—he was
a quick mover. He walked fast, he didn’t
wait for anybody, and as children, we had
to keep up. But this also cultivated impatience
and hastiness in my spirit.
I’ve
had to learn patience and contentment, just
as Paul did. When I look back on the times
I forced something to happen because I simply
couldn’t wait, I realize that the outcome
wasn’t as beneficial as I thought. If I
had been patient and waited, the lessons
learned would’ve been a lot less painful.
Heart Check.
How
patient are you? Do your feet make haste
or are you a slow and steady mover?
SELFISH
FRIENDSHIP | Proverbs 19:6
We’re
starting to hear a common theme about the
motives behind friendships. Solomon seems
to be speaking of how people will seek favor
from those who have wealth or infiuence
because of what they can gain from that
friendship.
If
you see a fountain fiowing with money and
gifts, it’s part of the selfish carnal nature
to fiock to the spout. Or if you get attention
from someone with status, the notoriety
or recognition feels good. This is why our
society is so obsessed with celebrity and
infiuencer status.
But
Jesus said the opposite—he told us to give
to those who can’t return the favor (Luke
14:13-14). In fact, it has been wisely stated
that you can judge a man’s character by
how he treats those who can do nothing for
him. Heart Check.
When
you seek mew friendships or connections,
are you seeking the benefits of the friendship
more than the companship? How do you treat
those who have nothing to offer?
OVERLOOKING
OFFENSE | Proverbs 19:11
Here,
we see the virtues of patience, restraint,
and forgiveness. Solomon is saying that
the wise person won’t feel the need to hold
every single person accountable for every
little o£ense. They aren’t the type
to honk their horn the moment the light
turns green, and the person takes more than
.2 seconds to react. They will shrug o£
petty insults and other o£enses because
their o£enses have been overlooked
by Jesus. They get it.
Jesus
said, “He who has been forgiven much loves
much” (Luke 7:47). They don’t need to serve
justice because justice has already been
served by Jesus. He paid the price, even
for those who hurt us. Holding on to o£ense
says that His payment wasn’t enough. Heart
Check.
Are
you able to overlook offenses easily? Or
do you feel the need to hold every person
accountable for evry single mistake?
LAZY
TIRED | Proverbs 19:15
Here
we go with laziness again. Solomon says
that when you’re lazy, you will go hungry
because no one can do any work during sleep.
And there’s a di£erence between being
exhausted from hard work and lazy tired.
Lazy tiredness makes you think you need
more sleep, but you will only wake up more
tired, whereas true exhaustion gets the
rest it needs and wakes up invigorated again.
And
lazy tired is like mud—it’s hard to get
out of, but when you do, you will find that
your energy will actually increase. Heart
Check.
Are
you lazy tired? Do you need to get out of
the mud?
BURYING
THE HAND | Proverbs 19:24
While
this is speaking of a person who doesn’t
finish what they start because of laziness,
it made me realize that procrastination
is a form of laziness, and I’m guilty of
it.
I
do a lot of “I’ll do it tomorrow when I
have more time” or “I’ll start that tomorrow.”
Then tomorrow becomes today, which again
turns into tomorrow, and eventually, I’m
buried beneath 15 loads of laundry, a to-do
list that runs two pages in my planner,
and a whole lot of regret after eating a
gallon of ice cream because I insisted I
would also start my diet tomorrow.
Are
you burying your hand in procrastination?
What do you need to start and/or finish
today?
FIGHT
FOR RIGHT | Proverbs 20:3
One
of the greatest pieces of advice we ever
received in martial counseling was to fight
for WHAT is right rather than WHO is right.
This proverb says that those who are foolish
will always strive to fight over every little
thing, and this usually stems from an insecurity
that drives the need for power. Ultimately,
this will only end in a false sense of security,
quickly fading before launching into another
fight again. It’s a never-ending cycle.
But
if you fight for WHAT is right, that will
often require restraint and sometimes even
silence to allow a situation to cool down
so that you can gain a better perspective.
But this is always more honorable. When
we’re in the heat of the moment, it’s hard
to see beyond the fiames erupting right
before you. But when the fight cools to
embers, you can see what was burning. It
will either be burnt to ashes, meaning you
will realize that the fight really wasn’t
worth it, or there will still be something
smoldering, but you will be able to extinguish
it a lot easier because you’re not adding
fuel to the fire. Heart Check.
Do
You fight for what is right rather than
who is right? Do you have the restraint
to allow the fire to cool down? Or do you
add fuel while it is still burning?
DIGGING
DEEP | Proverbs 20:5
This
is a pretty cool story. Yesterday, Holly
and I were texting, and she gave me a really
sweet compliment by saying that I show up
authentic but still poised.
And
I told her before I even read this that
it isn’t fraudulent to poise up when you
don’t feel like it. Some would call this
“putting on a front.”
I
told her it’s more like digging deep for
strength that you don’t have on your own.
Every day, I come here with a smile, I’m
not always happy. Things aren’t always hunky-dory
as they may seem. And it isn’t faking happiness
either-- it’s choosing to dig deep for that
joy unspeakable that lies beyond the surface
of our circumstances.
So
today when I read this, I texted Holly and
said, “Look! This is confirmation!” Heart
Check.
What's
in your well? Are you digging deep beyond
the surface of your emotions to choose joy?
TRUE
FAITHFULNESS | Proverbs 20:6
Social
media has brought life to this proverb.
It’s
projecting how we like to post our highlight
reels and make sure our profile on Instagram
is aesthetic. In other words, we like to
self-proclaim goodness rather than present
our faults or weaknesses.
But
true faithfulness doesn’t need to be advertised.
In fact, a quiet spirit is often more admirable
than the one exposing every detail of their
being to the world. Not to say there’s anything
wrong with that, but moral integrity won’t
need to be put on public display.
Because
no matter how many ways you filter your
life, your true faithfulness (or the lack
thereof) will eventually surface. Heart
Check.
Is
your morality being projected through filitered
lenses? Or is your true faithfulness being
quietly projected?
EMBRACING
THE SEASONS | Proverbs 20:29
My
sister and I were talking about “the perils
of getting older” yesterday and laughing
about it. This proverb speaks of the benefits
of each season in life. The young ones have
the strength and vigor of their youth while
the older ones have wisdom from life, as
evidenced in their graying hair. If we can’t
embrace the season of life we are in, discontentment
will set in. This doesn’t mean we just let
ourselves go because we surrender to aging.
Quite
the opposite.
There
is something to say for stewarding aging.
It’s kind of like the way you have to do
oil changes more frequently on an older
car. Maintenance is required - that isn’t
needed when you first drive it o£
the lot. Putting a new coat of paint on
an old car doesn’t change what’s under the
hood or make it any younger, so we’re not
discussing superficial or exterior care.
This is embracing the season for what it
is, and using it for good. It’s running
while you have the strength and then training
others when you don’t. Heart Check.
Do
you embrace the season you're currently
in? Are you stewarding it well and using
it for the good?
GOD’S
THRONE | Proverbs 21:1
Most
of us would say that we trust in the Lord
and believe He is in control, but all of
that seems to go to the wayside come election
year. People begin to get stressed out,
they start listening to political commentators
and pundits which either adds to their anxiety
or allows for their echo chamber to become
all the more turbulent and get rowled up,
and not in the best way.
But
if we truly believe that God is on the throne,
instead of panicking, pouting or even plotting
to make things go our way, we can simply
pray for our leaders, do our part, and be
at peace. Heart Check.
Do
you believe God is on the throne and in
control of the political arena?
PRIORITY
| Proverbs 21:17
This
word pleasure translates to “sport,” which
would read, “Whoever loves sport will be
a poor man…” and this brings to mind how
seasons of church are often missed by many
people because of Sunday activities and
sports. I’m guilty of it.
Some
people find so many other things they can
do with their time and therefore never spend
more than five minutes reading a devotion
here and there.
So
when this proverb says that you will be
poor, I believe this is speaking not only
of material wealth but spiritual as well.
It’s a matter of priority, and when you
prioritize God in your life, such a spiritual
richness comes with it. Heart Check.
Where
does devotion, Bible Study, and church fall
priorty list?
Deep
Dive
What
are the major themes spoken across these
proverbs and how can you apply these lessons
in practical ways?
How
might some of the proverbs be misapplied?
How
might they be wrong in certain situations?
How
has technology contributed to laziness in
today’s society?
Where
do you see courtroom terms and why were
they so prevalent in Solomon’s writings?
Where
do you see how Solomon may have been speaking
purely from personal experience?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for another day of profound
wisdom.
I
pray that we continue to grow in our understanding
and knowledge, not just storing it up, but
allowing it to guide our steps as we walk
in integrity and thoughtfulness. We do not
want to make decisions in haste or be frantic
in anything we do, but rather guarded by
peace and contentment. We know that this
type of life is far more valuable than one
that is lived in riches but with a contentious
and discontent spirit. So help us to maintain
our integrity, to continue to be hard workers
and not lazy in anything we do. If we need
a little energy boost, will you be like
an IV to our Spirit, infusing us with vitality
and passion when we begin to grow weary.
I
pray that we will be good friends and good
neighbors to those around us. Please help
us to see the value in friendship and companionship
so that we are not selfishly seeking relationship
from a place of selfish gain. But may we
be like the rich friend, who is generous
and always looking for ways to give rather
than take. We know that when we give to
others, we are giving unto you, and you
will always repay with the best dividends.
I
pray that we will be diligent in all that
we do, never procrastinating or putting
things o£ until tomorrow. We don’t
want to get buried beneath our tasks, so
I pray that we will prioritize properly
and begin chipping away at what needs to
get done, putting one foot in front of the
other until we finish. May we steward all
of the wonderful gifts you ‘ve given to
us, including our homes and families. May
we never squander them.
I
pray that we will be quick to listen and
slow to speak, especially when others come
with criticism, whether constructive or
not. May we give thought to our reaction,
never lashing out in defense. The only o£ense
we truly need to worry about are the ones
that we have committed against you. When
we leave the judgment and vengeance in your
hands, it frees us from the anxiety of feeling
as though we need to bring down the hammer.
So may we overlook o£ense with love
and compassion, just the way that you have
done with us.
Anytime
there is a fire of contention brewing, may
we be those who extinguish them rather than
adding fuel. Help us to fight for what is
right rather than who is right. I pray that
we will not suck the life out of our homes
but be the ones who bring home peace and
are like lights that are turned on rather
than those who snu£ out the light.
For those of us who have children, show
us the proper and godly way to discipline
our kids so that we do not lead them astray
but rather give them hope of a glorious
future.
May
we be a people who walk with honesty and
integrity in all areas of life. We want
to please you first, and in doing so, we
will inevitably treat others right. Help
us to trust you, the one who is in complete
control of all things. Thank you for these
timeless gifts of wisdom today. May you
be blessed as we walk them out.
In
Proverbs 22, Solomon highlights how children
often imitate the characteristics they see
in their parents and those around them.
He warns that without proper instruction
and discipline in moral values, children
will naturally follow the negative tendencies
of human nature. He emphasizes the importance
of teaching children virtues such as humility,
generosity, diligence, self-control, compassion,
and a strong work ethic.
Solomon
stresses that true wisdom must be cultivated
in the heart before it can be refiected
in one's actions.
In
Proverbs 23, Solomon once again discusses
the consequences of rejecting wisdom and
choosing a self-destructive path. Those
who do so will be blind to the deceptive
allure of wealth, power, and persuasive
individuals. Fools, lacking self-control,
will succumb to fieeting pleasures and show
no empathy towards those in need, provoking
divine wrath. In contrast, a child who embraces
correction and matures in wisdom will bring
great happiness and peace to their parents.
In
Proverbs 24, Solomon highlights the link
between wisdom, love, and respect. Embracing
morals and values rooted in faith involves
seeking guidance and understanding from
the Lord. A foolish individual disregards
wisdom, viewing it as superficial and unimportant,
and may try to take shortcuts. In contrast,
a wise person recognizes the importance
of foresight and preparation, remaining
unfazed by uncertainty and challenges. They
are equipped to face adversity, resilient
against deceitful schemes, and o£er
hope and truth as they work diligently to
save others from the snares of the wicked.
REPUTATION
| Proverbs 22:1
Solomon
knew this better than anyone because he
was the richest guy in the world. He understood
that a good name would outlive all his riches
at the end of the day.
As
Christians, we have an even greater responsibility
to have a good reputation, because when
we are born again, we are given a new name
that has its identity in Christ, so we bear
the responsibility of Christ’s reputation
and what that looks like in the eyes of
others. What a privilege! Heart Check.
Does
your reputation reflect Christ?
EXCELLENT
WORK | Proverbs 22:29
This
proverb can be seen as two-fold. If we work
with excellence and diligence, we will,
for the most part, be successful and receive
honor.
But
when you look at this spiritually, we will
all stand before the King of Kings with
an account of our work here. And I believe
one of the questions we will be asked is,
“What did you do with what I gave you?”
Our work will be judged at the Bema seat
and rewarded if it is done with excellence.
(Remember,
this is not speaking of salvation—we are
saved by grace and not works). Heart Check.
If
you were to stand before Christ today, would
you be confident in your work?
SETTING
AN EXAMPLE | Proverbs 23:26
My
daddy used to say, “Do as I say, not as
I do.” It’s a figure of speech that means
we do not question if our parents do something
that contradicts what they’ve told us.
But
here, Solomon can confidently tell his son
to observe his ways. In other words, he’s
being a good example. He is confident in
the things he says, the way he spends his
free time, how hard he works, and his obedience
to the word.
Even
if you bear some scars, they can be observed
and learned from. Heart Check.
Are
you confident in the example that you are
setting or have set for others?
TRUE
FRIENDSHIP | Proverbs 24:26
This
metaphor of an honest person kissing the
lips speaks of true friendship. Those who
truly love their friends will answer them
with truth rather than telling them what
they think they want to hear. Heart Check.
Are
you a true friend? Do you speak the truth
to those you love?
PREPARATION
| Proverbs 24:27
God
is a planner and a God of order. He knows
the steps He needs to take to build upon
a good foundation before adding to it. It’s
like a painter, who builds upon the background
and foreground. They don’t start with the
details. Or when you move into a new house,
you get your dresser before you buy the
things to put in it.
In
fact, my parents just moved here from Hawaii,
and my mom is so proud of herself for not
going to her favorite store, Hobby Lobby.
Because she knows that her home needs to
be in order before she can start crafting!
Seasons of preparation are usually not fun—it’s
hard work, and we can easily get discouraged.
But
take heart today in reading this—because
seasons of preparation are so necessary
to be able to freely enjoy the conveniences
of life without the stress of unfinished
work or loose ends hanging over your head.
Heart Check.
Do
you see the value in preparation? Or do
you try to skip ahead to the fun?
NEGLECT
| Proverbs 24:30-34
Here,
we end with a focus on laziness and neglect.
This can be applied both physically and
spiritually.
Neglecting
our duties in life will ultimately lead
to a loss. This is usually a very slow process,
like a frog in a pot of boiling water. You
may feel the warmth, but you don’t realize
you’re dying until you’re half-cooked. Whether
it’s neglecting your duty to clean your
house, neglecting duties at work, neglecting
your family, or neglecting the Word of God,
there is a great loss to be suffered if
we don’t look at it for what it is and learn
from it, the way that Solomon is. Heart
Check.
Is
there something that you've been neglecting
that needs some attention?
Deep
Dive
How
do we reconcile keeping a good reputation
in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the
world? Do they go hand in hand?
How
has the idea of discipline changed from
the time this was written? Has it changed
for the better? How is it refiected in society?
How
can you prevent laziness?
What
are the major themes in these chapters?
What
personal lessons have you learned from these
Proverbs? How can you apply them to your
daily walk?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for training us up in
the way we should go.
These
invaluable and timeless lessons of integrity,
discipline, and righteousness are so impactful,
not just on our personal lives, but also
for those around us. We know that as we
hear these words, keep them close to our
hearts, and apply them, they sink deep down
into our souls so that when we face situations
where they can be applied, we are able to
access it from within. We will know how
to navigate through the di£erent issues.
This is all a part of the way you guide
us, so thank you for these words that light
our paths.
I
pray that as we live out our lives, that
we will build character and a reputation
of integrity and honor that we can leave
for those who come after us. We know it
is never too late, as long as we are still
breathing, to begin walking in righteousness.
So thank you for second chances. May our
hearts be humble, our hands be generous,
and our actions kind. When we treat others
well and work with excellence, we are, in
turn, honoring you as well.
I
pray for good friends and good company to
surround us. We pray for wise counsel and
the ability to plan well, not missing or
skipping any steps along the way. And help
us to stay within the territory that you’ve
marked out for us, so that we do not try
to infringe upon someone else’s. We don’t
want to try to take what is not ours, so
I pray for clear markers where things seem
to be in the gray. We never want to disregard
what’s been set up for us, so help us to
steward our gifts well.
Thank
you for the gift of work and the ability
to earn wages—I pray that we will always
do this will integrity as well, never trying
to earn riches deceitfully or unfairly.
We know that riches are fieeting and temporary,
and while it is not inherently bad, how
we gain them and where we place in it in
our hearts matters most.
So
I pray that we will resist the allure of
anything that could become an idol or that
which could become an overindulgence. We
know that too much of any good thing can
quickly become bad. So give us discernment,
contentment, and sober judgment so that
we will not make foolish mistakes or lead
ourselves into a pit.
I
pray that we will not be lured in by those
who are in places of infiuence or a£luence.
May we practice self-control and restraint
so that we never fall weak to the deception
of the enemy who has ulterior motives in
their giving to us.
We
know there are hidden costs beneath the
glitter and gold, so when something appeals
to our carnal nature, I pray that we will
be extra discerning. Thank you for being
our Defender and Protector and for giving
us strength when we are weak. You are the
Giver of all things good and the Rewarder
of our good works. So may we focus on what’s
in front of us, diligently seeking the future
that you have in store. And should we fall
along the way, help us to get back up again
and continue forging ahead.
In
1 Kings 5, peace and prosperity have finally
arrived in the land of Israel, paving the
way for the long-awaited construction of
the Temple. David had stockpiled supplies
before his passing, but there were still
crucial elements that needed to be gathered
before work could commence. Solomon, displaying
wisdom beyond his years, reached out to
an ally of his father to secure top-quality
lumber, assembled a skilled workforce from
all corners of Israel, and organized the
procurement of stone for the foundation.
He carefully maintained the alliance, delegated
tasks efficiently, and ensured that no man
was overworked by implementing shifts for
the workers.
In
1 Kings 6, precise specifications and intricate
construction details are revisited as the
Temple, complete with sanctuaries and courts,
is o£icially established by the people
of God. Solomon's deep reverence for the
Lord is evident as he meticulously follows
the exquisitely crafted design for the Temple's
interior. Additionally, the Lord renews
His covenant with His people, promising
Solomon that if he and his descendants remain
obedient to His commands and statutes, His
divine presence will forever abide with
the people of Israel.
In
2 Chronicles 2, the account parallels 1
Kings chapter 5 as Solomon prepares to start
building the Temple by collecting the remaining
necessary resources. Men from all corners
of Israel are brought together for various
tasks such as quarrying, resource transportation,
and overseeing workers with their designated
responsibilities during the construction.
The mention of individuals from di£erent
nationalities signifies that God envisioned
the Temple as a place open to all peoples.
The communication with Hiram, the king of
Tyre, and his support for the Temple are
highlighted once more, showcasing Solomon's
wise decision to accept his aid and maintain
his father's alliance and friendship.
2
Chronicles 3 and 1 Kings 6 are closely linked,
but this chapter specifically details the
precise location of the Temple and the initial
date of construction. It o£ers a wealth
of information about the construction of
the Most Holy Place and the pillars of the
Temple.
SETTING
INTENTIONS | 1 Kings 5:5
It’s
no secret that Solomon was successful. He
was probably the most “successful” king
in Israel in the worldly sense. This is
why he set intentions in his heart and carried
them out wisely and boldly.
Everything
significant has to start here—with a purpose
or a set intention. It’s sort of like putting
the address in the GPS. You need to know
where you’re headed before you even start
driving, or you will waste time driving
in circles and ultimately end up in some
random place or nowhere. Heart Check.
What
intensions have you set out to do? Where
are you headed?
QUALITY
FOUNDATION | 1 Kings 5:17
Solomon
used the highest quality materials, even
for the unseen parts of the foundation.
This reflects the heart of God in the way
that He does not look at the outward appearance
the way that man does—He looks at the heart.
So he doesn’t give a rip about my eyelashes.
His
concern is about what’s going on during
the nighttime hours of devotion that no
one sees but Him. This is where the foundation
is being laid—in the underground, with the
cameras turned off, and the doors closed.
If that time is not quality, this ministry
would crumble. I would crumble. And He builds
His churches this way—all we see is what’s
on that stage or the screens on Sunday.
But the foundation was being laid all week
long—unseen by us but never hidden from
Him. Heart Check.
How's
the quality of your foundation? Do the unseen
parts of your life reflect the quality of
what is seen?
START
DRIVING | 1 Kings 6:1
Earlier,
Solomon put the destination into the GPS,
and now he is pressing the gas pedal. This
is where the rubber meets the road.
Many
people dream and have good intentions, but
never fill the tank with enough gas to get
started. There are probably hundreds of
thousands of dreams fioating around, but
none will come to fruition because they
won’t start the engine. Heart Check.
Have
you started driving toward your destination?
KEEP
THRIVING | 1 Kings 6:12-16
Here,
we see God pulling Solomon aside, out of
the busyness of his life, to remind him
of what’s most important. It’s almost funny
how God says to him, “Concerning this house
that you’re building, YOU.”
God’s
concern wasn’t about the building itself.
His greater concern was the condition of
Solomon’s heart.
Sometimes
we can become so busy, even in doing the
work of the Lord, that we have to be pulled
aside and reminded about what’s going on
on the inside. Sometimes, this is all it
takes to get us back on track when we are
tired or weary from trying to do everything
in our own strength. We have to be careful
about mistaking busyness or activity for
spiritual well-being. Heart Check.
How
are you doing on the inside? Is your relationship
with the Lord more important than the tasks
you are completing?
SACRIFICE
| 2 Chronicles 3:1
Here
is where we find out the location of the
temple. Mt. Moriah is significant, as it
was the place where Abraham attempted to
sacrifice Isaac, it was where David received
instruction and built an altar for sacrifice,
and it is thought to be the location or
close to Golgotha or Calvary— the place
of the ultimate sacrifice that was made
on our behalf.
This
tells me that true worship will be built
on sacrifice. When we do the work of the
Lord, it will take time, energy, money,
and resources, but it is always worth it.
There is no amount of sacrifice that we
can give to pay back what He did for us
on that cross. But we can die trying. And
we are called to do just that—die to ourselves
so that our new temple can be built. Heart
Check.
What
have you sacrificied or given up for the
Lord?
Deep
Dive
What
can we learn from Solomon’s dealings with
Hiram and his workforce management?
How
does Solomon honor his covenant with God
in the building of the temple?
How
does the building of the temple model the
way we should approach ministry or work?
What
correlations can you see between the temple
and the church?
Why
would God have Solomon use Gentile workers
and materials? How does this relate to the
church today?
How
important was the grandeur of the temple
then? What about the grandeur of church
buildings today? Has it changed? Why or
why not?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you that we do not need a
grand building to be able to meet with you
today?
It
doesn’t minimize the importance of our churches,
but what you did, Jesus, allows us to be
able to meet with you anytime or anyplace,
and we are so grateful.
But
thank you, nevertheless, for allowing us
to see a picture of what the church means
to you, Lord, and how important it truly
is. We know that everything you do is done
with the most excellence, and we should
be the same. Whatever you have purposed
in our hearts, I pray that our intentions
will align with that. Help us to plan with
diligence, but even more importantly, hit
the gas pedal. Show us who we can partner
with to get the job done. Thank you for
this gift of ministry and service that we
get to be a part of. What an honor it is
to be a builder in your church. Help us
to see our roles and the way that we fit
into your master plan. We may be getting
chipped away at in this world, but you will
allow that shaping and molding of our lives
to be used in your glorious plan.
Thank
you, Father, for the dreams that you have
established in our hearts and the preparations
that you have made long before we ever knew
of it. Just as David set up Solomon, so
have you done for us. I pray that we will
look diligently at the plans, study it,
gather with others and begin the work. It
isn’t meant to be a strenuous task, for
your burden is easy and your yoke is light.
But we also know that it comes with a little
bit of sacrifice. So I pray for the courage
to die to whatever it is that we may be
holding on to from our old lives so that
we can begin living and thriving in this
new life that you have breathed into us.
I
pray that we will not be afraid of the “outside”
world but see it the way that you do—the
way you love all people and desire for all
to come to repentance. I pray that we will
all do our part in witnessing, planting
seeds, and doing good deeds that refiect
your glory.
Thank
you for showing us the significance of the
temple and what it means for us today. When
you said that you would destroy the temple
and raise it up in three days, it ba£led
the minds of the religious. But we now know
what you meant, and it was your body that
would be destroyed for our sake and rise
3 days later.
Our
bodies would then become a temple for your
Holy Spirit to dwell so that we would have
your Presence with us wherever we go.
Then
each one of us are the very blocks of the
church, fitted together perfectly as one
body. I pray that we will get a good understanding
of this so that we will not resist the way
we are to fit together rather than resist
each other.
Strengthen
us today, as we continue to be the stonecutters,
chipping away with the hammer of the Word.
Help us to be those who disciple, teach,
and lead others into relationship with you.
I pray that we will be burden bearers, praying
for those who are in need. And I pray, most
of all, that the things which are unseen,
will be the things we will hold most dear.
Because we know that it is there, in the
Most Holy Place, the central place of our
intimacy, that we are growing closer to
you, which is your greatest concern. Because
we can do all the work, but if our hearts
are far from you, it will matter none. So
draw us near today, fill us up, so that
we can go out and do the work that you have
laid out for us.
In
1 Kings 7, we see that Solomon has decided
to build a palace for himself. The style
with which Solomon built his palace is even
more lavish than that of the Temple he had
constructed, and it took almost double the
time the Temple required.
The
seemingly innumerable use of pillars even
earned the name "House of the Forest
of Lebanon."
We
are also introduced to a man named Huram
from Tyre, whose ancestry was both Israeli
and Gentile, who was hired for his renowned
mastery of working with bronze. His artistic
ability was exhibited throughout the Temple
and Solomon's palace.
Although
similar to the ones seen in the Tabernacle,
he fashioned the Temple's furnishings to
be more luxurious.
2
Chronicles 4 is almost a continuation of
1 Kings 7, as it provides more information
on the detailed craftsmanship used with
the furnishings inside and outside the Temple
and its courts.
The
bronze altar and washing basins are a few
of the articles recounted here. We are even
told that the amount of bronze used "could
not be counted," which gives us a great
example of how we should not keep records
of what we give to the Lord because He gives
without measure as well.
BUILDING
PRIORITIES | 1 Kings 7:1
It’s
easy to jump to a quick commentary about
how it took Solomon almost twice as long
to build his own house and to say that it’s
because it was more extravagant than the
temple.
That
is true, but what if we consider that he
took half the time to build the temple simply
because he felt an urgency to finish the
work of the Lord, and his house was lower
on his priority list?
Either
way, this gets us to look at our own lives
and ask ourselves a heart Check.
What
are you spending more time on? Building
your temple (worship. devotion, character
building, serving, being generous)? Or building
your house (work, wealth, vacations, recreation,
self-serving dreams)?
Sidenote:
the items listed under building your own
house aren't inherently bad things. The
question is whwre they fall on the priority
list, for the Bible says to "seek First
the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
Then all these things shall be added unto
you." ~MMatt. 6:33)
PILLARS
| 1 Kings 7:21
These
two pillars were the first things that people
would identify with upon coming to the temple—they
were massive!
And
with their names meaning “He shall establish”
and “in strength,” this would be a reminder
that in coming to the temple to worship,
you were coming into a place of power and
strength. In a sense, we are all pillars
of something. Heart Check.
If
you had two pillars, what character traits
would be represented?
STICK
TO THE TASK | 2 Chronicles 4:7
These
craftsmen were so precise in how they followed
the Lord's specific instructions. Being
talented like these guys, it was probably
hard if what they were carrying out was
simpler than the tasks they’re used to.
My husband and I sometimes joke about the
“curse of the creative brain,” because creatives
tend to want to “do it all.”
A
lot of the time, when I start a project,
I end up not finishing it because my brain
goes into a hamster wheel spin of all the
ways I want to add to it, and then I never
end up even taking a step. Even within this
ministry, I have many dreams and visions,
but I get stuck in the details.
But
the Lord always reminds me to focus on what
I’m supposed to do, which is the daily reading.
As much as I want to film other content
and start planning conferences, His answer
is, “Not yet. Stick with the task and instructions
I’ve given you.” Heart Check.
Do
you tend to want to do more than you've
been asked? Does it derail you from from
doing what you supposed to? Or are you a
stick-to-the-task type of person?
SACRED
WORSHIP | 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4
At
the end of the day, these spaces were both
special and sacred to Solomon, which is
why he spent a significant amount of time,
energy, and resources on building them.
Even though we don’t have the same means
or symbols of worship today, worship is
not any less significant, and there should
be a time and space carved out in our lives
for this sacred act. Heart Check.
What
sacred space and means are in your life
to worship the Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
does Solomon’s dedication to the building
of the temple inspire you?
How
might the time spent on building the temple
refiect our own spiritual journey?
Why
do you think he spent more time building
his house?
What
do the intricate details show about God’s
character?
How
does the temple compare or contrast to our
places of worship today?
What
might a modern-day Hiram-abi look like?
Do you know any?
Seeing
the details and intricacies of the temple
can sometimes escape us when it comes to
realizing that these very details were planned
out by you, the greatest Master Craftsman
of all. Sometimes we will get stuck in this
one-sided view of you, thinking that you
prefer us to be so simple and humble and
therefore we can sometimes look down on
extravagant worship. But here we see that
there is nothing too extravagant when it
comes to representing you, as long as it
is properly dedicated and used entirely
for your glory.
Seeing
the way Solomon used every resource and
person to create such beautiful space to
be able to come and sit in reverence and
awe, inspires us to do the same in the way
that we use our own talents and resources.
Show us how we can be better at this. Uncover
the gifts that we can’t even see within
ourselves. Help us to know that each one
of us are so valuable in the building of
your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
I
pray that we will prioritize well, putting
the building of your temple first above
all else. For us, that’s keeping our relationship
with you at the forefront. It’s dedicating
our lives to honor you in every way. It’s
making sure that we refiect your holiness.
Help us to do that.
Thank
you for every thread of our being that you
have knitted together so intricately. I
pray that our strength will be founded in
your pillars that you have established.
Thank
you for the ability to come to you to be
washed continually by your Living Water.
Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you
made on our behalf, Jesus. We would’ve never
gotten to the Father on our own. So every
time we approach the throne, may we do so
with the same reverence, care and precision
that Solomon had.
Thank
you for the encouragement today that good
things take time to build. We know you are
perfecting us, so help us to be patient
with ourselves. Sometimes we forget how
incredibly patient you are, so may we be
the same, in not expecting perfection but
at the very least, progress. That’s all
you’re looking for. So as you give us instructions,
may our hearts be in tune with them so that
we will live it out in obedience. What an
honor it is to serve as a temple of your
Holy Spirit.
1 Kings
8 begins with the ark of the covenant being
brought into the now completely constructed
Temple. Solomon calls all the heads of Israel,
elders, and chiefs, along with the priests
and Levites, to bring up the ark from the
City of David. In a great ceremonial style,
the Ark is paraded to the Temple for its
final resting in the Most Holy Place.
A
great multitude of sheep and oxen are sacrificed
in honor to the Lord on this day. As the
priests leave the holy place, God's cloud
of glory fills the entire Temple, delaying
the priests’ ministry duties.
Solomon
gives a dedication speech and prays to the
Lord for blessing and His continual presence
with the people of Israel. Solomon blesses
the people and ends with a feast of dedication
as all Israel celebrates this momentous
occasion.
2 Chronicles
5 repeats much of 1 Kings 8 with transporting
the ark of the covenant from the City of
David to the Most Holy Place of the Temple
in Jerusalem.
The
elders and chiefs of Israel, priests, and
Levites accompany the ark until it rests
inside the Temple. God's Shekinah glory
is seen filling the Temple. In one accord,
the trumpeters and singers bring forth a
great shout of praise to the Lord.
God’s
glory is so magnificent, it fills the entire
Temple, and the priests are unable to carry
out their dedicated services to the Lord.
GREATNESS
OF GOD | 1 Kings 8:27
Solomon
understood the greatness of God and how
it could not be contained in any way.
We
know in our heads how great God is. None
of us would deny that He is greater than
all. We know that He holds the heavens (meaning
the entire universe) in the palm of his
hands (Isaiah 40:12).
But
do we truly understand how great that is?
The Milky Way galaxy, for example, is 100,000
light years in length and 10,000 light years
wide.
That
means that if you were to cross it, moving
at the speed of light (186,000 miles per
second), it would take you 100,000 years.
And the Milky Way galaxy is one of billions,
maybe even trillions, in the observable
universe. It’s unfathomable!!
Yet
sometimes, we think our small problems are
too great for Him to handle, so we start
stressing and attempting to handle them
ourselves. Heart Check.
Do
you truly understand how great our God is?
Do you trust that you are held in His hand?
GREATNESS
IN YOUR LIFE
For
this heart check, list the great things
that remind you of the greatness of GOD
and list the ways HE has shown up in your
life. Use this list to give Him praise and
gratitude for His greatness.
List
the Great things of God
List
the Great things He has down
in your life
Example:
The Milky Way
Example:
The breath in your lungs
Deep
Dive
How
is God’s presence manifested “in the temple”
today?
What
parts of Solomon’s prayer do you relate
to the most?
Why
was the Ark of the Covenant so significant?
How is it significant in our lives as Christians?
How
does the dedication of the temple inspire
your faith journey?
What
importance do you see in the communal gathering
for repentance, praise, and worship?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the promise of our
Savior, that was fulfilled more than 2000
years ago, and yet your faitfulness doesn't
cease to blow our minds to this day.
Thank
you that not one Word that you have spoken
has fallen short or failed. Just as you
did with Solomon, you have given us rest—but
a di£erent kind of rest that transcends
wartime or discord—it’s an internal rest
that the enemy cannot access unless we allow
him to bypass your divine protection.
So
we pray for your continued Presence to be
evident in our lives, not only for us to
be able to walk confidently, but for the
ability to be a witness to this dying world.
You desired to bless the world through Israel,
and that blessing continues today through
the work of the cross. Thank you for choosing
us to be a part of that.
We
long to do your will, to hear your word,
and to walk in obedience. Keep our eyes
and hearts fixed on you and your purpose
for our lives. May our hearts be wholly
true to you and united with others so that
all the peoples of the earth may know that
you, and you alone, are God. There is none
like you, no one above you, and no one greater.
I pray that we will be able to grasp the
enormity of it all.
We
celebrate your continued Presence and blessing
in our lives. We know that carrying your
Presence with us bears a responsibility,
so I pray that our temple will be one that
glorifies you in a life lived in holiness
and righteousness. Help us to lay hold of
the promises that you have spoken so they
do not go unclaimed.
But
the greatest of all promises is that you
would send your Son to die for us. Our words
of thanks and our small sacrifices will
never be enough to express our gratitude.
And yet it blesses your heart every time
we come with even a small o£ering.
So we lay our lives down today at your feet
and thank you for the privilege of knowing
you, not only as our Savior but also as
a friend.
In
2 Chronicles 6, we read of Solomon's prayers
and blessings at the Temple's dedication.
Solomon acknowledges the presence of God
filling the Temple and o£ers blessings
to the Lord and the people of Israel.
A
brief history of Solomon building the Temple
and how he accomplished that work is also
recounted. Solomon gives a humble prayer
to the Lord, praising Him for being a promise
keeper.
He
asks that the Lord hear the prayers of His
people when they make oaths in His presence,
come in repentance, during times of sickness,
scarcity, and battle, and for Him to listen
when even the foreigners cry out to Him.
He
concludes by welcoming the Lord to His rest
and meeting place with His people and to
always remember His servant David.
In
2 Chronicles 7 it immediately begins with
the Lord accepting the Temple by sending
fire from heaven to consume the burnt o£erings
and sacrifices presented to Him completely.
The
people gave reverence to seeing the Lord's
Shekinah (a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling"
or "settling" and denoting the
presence of God in a place), and glory filled
the Temple and His awesome display of power.
Solomon presents his vast number of sacrifices
to the Lord, and the children of Israel
feast beyond the designated seven days for
the Feast of Tabernacles.
The
Lord came to Solomon in the night and told
him He would do all he had prayed and asked,
and Israel would always have a ruler if
they obeyed Him. A warning was also declared
that if they turned from Him to other gods,
the Lord would drive them from their land,
and the Temple would be destroyed.
In
Psalm 136, it addresses the Lord's infinite
mercy. It is a mercy that has always existed,
one that is His very nature as God and Creator.
His mercy that delivered His people from
Egypt, stretches beyond all measure, and
continues to deliver eternally.
EXTRAORDINARY
| 2 Chronicles 6:6
When
we think about David and Jerusalem, we think
of extraordinary things simply because of
what they represent.
But
if you really think about it, David was
a shepherd boy who greatly sinned, and Jerusalem
wasn’t the most beautiful spot in Israel.
If
you’re looking at topography alone, Samaria
would’ve been a “better” choice if He was
choosing based on beauty. But that is so
God, to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.
He didn’t choose Jerusalem because she was
beautiful. Jerusalem is beautiful because
she was chosen. Heart Check.
Are
you able to see how God is using your ordinary
for something extraordinary? Do you see
Him using your mistakes and beautifying
you?
INTENTIONAL
PRAYER | 2 Chronicles 6:13
Solomon’s
prayer posture is one of submission and
humility—bowed down, on his knees, and hands
outstretched wide. I was just watching a
movie the other night, and this was the
same posture that was forced upon captives
of war before their lives were taken.
While
that isn’t the picture we want in our heads
when we pray, the spirit of that posture
is the same—it’s submission and surrender—two
things that are necessary for effective
prayer.
Part
of the reason is because kneeling is not
comfortable. It’s hard on the knees, di£icult
if you’re not fiexible, and not in a position
where you will fall asleep or be easily
distracted. It’s an intentional position.
So even if you’re at an age or a place where
you can no longer kneel… Heart Check.
Is
there intentionality behind your prayer?
Do you have a place or posture where you
will not be easily distracted?
MISSIONARY
HEART | 2 Chronicles 6:32-33
Here,
we see Solomon’s missionary heart. He carries
the heart of God that seeks for all to know
Him. When we hear the word “missionary,”
we often think of a certain group sent out
to another country to build houses and dig
wells while ministering.
But
the missionary heart doesn’t require travel.
It’s merely seeing beyond yourself and seeking
for others to know God. We are essentially
saved so that we can save and serve others.
But
suppose we are only in a relationship with
the Lord for what we can gain without ever
growing to see how others can be blessed.
In that case, we will lose our e£ectiveness
individually and corporately. Heart Check.
Do
you have a missionary heart? Are you seeking
for others to know God?
PRAYING
FOR THE NATION | 2 Chronicles 7:11-14
God
is essentially calling the people out to
pray for their broken nation. Nowadays,
we are quick to criticize everything from
the government to certain groups to the
nation as a whole. Think about how many
curses are uttered upon our land daily.
But
God is saying, “Let’s turn that around.”
Imagine what it would be like if everyone
actually blessed the land and the people
living in it. Based on what the Bible says,
the likelihood of that happening is pretty
slim.
But
we can, in the meantime, be a light instead
of those who cast darkness. Instead of complaining
or cursing, we can be the ones who pray
and seek and ask God to heal our land. Heart
Check.
How
much praying do you do for the nation as
a whole
PRAISE
| Psalm 136
This
psalm gives us eight major reasons to praise
God:
His
goodness, His unending mercy, His great
wonders, His creation, His deliverance,
His protection, His provision, and His guidance.
If
we are still breathing today, we have all
been extended this same steadfast love,
as we woke up to new mercies today; we live
in an awe-inspiring world, we’ve been delivered
from our enemy of sin, and He protected
us from whatever may have tried to kill
us in the past, He has provided for us for
however many years we’ve been wandering
through this life.
He
led us here to His Presence and His Word,
where we have the privilege to know Him
more every single day. Those are the very
basic things to praise Him for.
But
we really have so much more to thank you
for. Heart Check.
What
are we praising Him for today?
Deep
Dive
How
do we see reminders of God’s faithfulness
in these chapters?
How
does Solomon’s prayer refiect his relationship
with God? How do your prayers refiect your
relationship with Him?
Solomon’s
temple was one of his greatest accomplishments,
symbolizing his obedience. What would yours
be?
How
does Solomon refiect Jesus as an intercessor
on our behalf?
God
assured Solomon of blessing but also a warning.
Does this continue today, and in what ways?
How
does God see communal worship today? Is
it important? Has it changed?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your Divine
Presence among us.
Thank
you, Jesus, for what you have done, giving
us direct access to the throne of heaven.
As we continue to build our lives, our very
own temple, I pray that you will indeed
dwell forever. We bless you today for all
that you have done and the promises that
you have fulfilled. There are thousands
written in your Word, and that doesn’t even
begin to scratch the surface of the millions
you have continued to fulfill throughout
the generations. We even lose count of our
own, often forgetting how you brought us
through the last storm. I pray that we will
remain faithful when the tempest begins
to brew, remembering your steadfast love
and the way you have protected, guided,
provided for, delivered, and brought us
out alive every time. The beating of our
hearts and the rhythm of our breath prove
that today.
What
an honor it is to know that you have handpicked
and chosen each one of us in our ordinary
state. We can’t fathom how you would choose
someone like us to beautify and perfect
for your great purpose. Yet you do, so we
rise to the occasion as we humble our spirits
before you to have your way within us. Thank
you for placing eternity in our hearts.
I pray that we will live from that perspective
so that any time we begin to see something
that is too great for us to bear on our
own, it will shrink in comparison to our
eternal lifespan.
There
is no God like you, in heaven or on earth,
so we walk before you with all our hearts.
I pray that you will keep us in the palm
of your hand, so that we don’t stray from
the safety of your refuge. But should we
do so, please hear our cry the moment we
realize we’ve gone astray. I pray that we
will be quick to u-turn and that you will
hear from heaven and forgive.
Should
we ever enter a dry season, where the refreshing
of your Word is no longer felt, let that
be a moment for us to reassess where we
may be failing to cultivate our own soil.
And instead of going elsewhere to seek satisfaction,
keep us close. The very least we can do
is remain faithful, just the way that you
have with us. We know that you will bring
showers of blessings again. Perhaps this
is a just a chance for us to draw nearer.
For
anyone going through a famine in their bodies,
in their finances, or in their relationships,
hear their prayers and see their hands that
are outstretched wide toward heaven. Render
to their hearts, not fear of what is to
come, but fear of you. I pray that our reverence
and awe of your goodness will always trump
any unease that we will ever face in this
lifetime. This is all just temporary, but
your steadfast love endures forever.
We
pray for those who do not know you or who
are choosing to reject you as Lord and Savior.
We pray for divine intervention in their
lives that will prove to them your undeniable
existence and worth. Break any strongholds
or chains that are holding them captive.
May they hear their name being called, and
I pray that they will confess your great
name in response and turn their lives to
live for you once and for all.
What
polarizing times we live in, where division
has made its way into every layer of our
society. I pray that we, as a church, will
be the trailblazers for unity, as we come
together as your body to lift up rather
than tear down. We cry out to you for our
land, standing in the gap for our people.
You have made all people for your glory,
to serve you in freedom and rest, and we
thank you for that ability. I pray that
we will use our freedom to carry out your
will for our nations. We confess our sin
to you and ask that you will forgive, O
God. Forgive us where pride has crept in,
where we may have put our will above yours,
or where we have forsaken your way. Where
there is uncertainty and restlessness, will
you humble our hearts so that we can be
submitted to your ways. Defend the weak,
give a voice to those who are silenced,
and bring justice where there has been undue
su£ering. Please purify our hearts
and heal our land.
We
thank you for your glory, which is felt
here in this space. Let us never forget
it.
Psalm
134, with only three verses of
praise and being the last psalm of ascents,
is a short but powerful call to worship.
It encourages people to bless the Lord and
praises the continuous nature of worship
and the reciprocal blessing between God
and His people. The priests proclaim it
at the end of the people's pilgrimage.
The
last five psalms in the Book of Psalms (Psalms
146-150) are known as the Hallelujah
Psalms because each one begins and ends
with the phrase "Praise the Lord,"
which in Hebrew is "Hallelujah"
(Hallel + Yah). These psalms are a powerful
and exuberant crescendo of praise, celebrating
God's greatness, faithfulness, and the joy
found in worshiping Him. They call on all
of creation—angels, the heavens, the earth,
and every living being—to join in giving
glory to God.
Psalm
146 is a joyful declaration of
trust in the Lord, contrasting the futility
of relying on human leaders with the faithfulness
of God. It begins with a personal commitment
to praise the Lord throughout life. The
psalmist highlights God's eternal reign
and His justice, compassion, and provision
for the oppressed, hungry, prisoners, blind,
bowed down, righteous, strangers, orphans,
and widows. The psalm concludes by a£irming
the Lord’s sovereignty and everlasting kingship,
encouraging all to place their hope and
trust in Him.
Psalm
147 praises the Lord for His
goodness and power, refiecting on His care
for Jerusalem and His people. The psalmist
celebrates God's rebuilding of Jerusalem,
His healing of the brokenhearted, and His
boundless understanding. It marvels at God's
control over the natural world, from determining
the number of stars to providing rain and
food. The psalm emphasizes God’s delight
not in the strength of horses or men, but
in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast
love. It concludes with a call for Jerusalem
and Zion to praise the Lord for His provision
of peace, security, and His word.
Psalm
148 is a universal call to praise
the Lord, inviting all creation to worship.
It begins with the heavens, including angels,
sun, moon, and stars, and extends to the
earth, encompassing sea creatures, weather
phenomena, mountains, trees, animals, and
all peoples. This psalm highlights God's
creation's grandeur and sovereignty over
all. It concludes by focusing on God’s people,
Israel, whom He has exalted, underscoring
their unique relationship with Him and their
role in leading the world in praise.
Psalm
149 is a call to sing a new song
of praise to the Lord, highlighting the
joy and triumph of His people. It celebrates
the Lord’s delight in His people, who are
described as humble and godly. The psalm
encourages worship through dancing and music,
refiecting the vibrancy of communal worship.
It also touches on themes of divine justice
and victory, as the faithful are depicted
with a two-edged sword, ready to execute
God's judgment. The psalm concludes by rea£irming
the honor and privilege of the saints to
carry out God’s will, praising the Lord
for His faithfulness and justice.
Psalm
150 is the grand finale of the
book of Psalms, a resounding call to praise
the Lord with everything that has breath.
It begins by exhorting praise in God’s sanctuary
and in His mighty heavens. Then, it enumerates
various musical instruments—trumpet, lute,
harp, tambourine, strings, pipe, and cymbals—to
worship Him. This psalm underscores the
joy and exuberance of worship, emphasizing
that every living creature should join in
praising the Lord. It concludes with a universal
command for all creation to o£er praise,
highlighting the central theme of the Psalms:
glorifying God.
SIMPLE
PSALM | Psalm 134
Bless
the Lord! Throughout these first two verses,
you've seen that it says, 'bless the Lord,
bless the Lord'. Remember earlier that this
isn't a command or praise given to the people.
No, it is so that they will lift up their
voices and blessings to the Lord. But again,
don't get it twisted; this is not about
show and entertainment.
This
whole song, the beauty of it is the simplicity
of how short it is - is about worship and
praise for the LORD. So, with that simplicity,
here is our very first heart check.
Is
your time of worship about devotion or entertainment
BLESS
THE LORD | Psalm 134
Derek
Kidner says, “To bless God is to acknowledge
gratefully what He is;
but
to bless man, God must make of him what
he is not, and give him what he has not.”
Heart
Check.
Is
your spirit lacking during worship?
ETERNAL
HOPE | Psalm 146:3-4
No
prosperity will happen after a man has died.
Therefore, do not place your trust or hope
in man or government. In this instance,
we don't have kings and princes to look
to. We have presidents, government o£icials,
and governors, but we also have infiuential
infiuencers. These are everywhere, from
those we follow on TikTok, Instagram, and
YouTube to the big superstars we follow
within the music industry and even mega-churches.
Even
recently, another big name said, 'I can
no longer stand in this position,' even
while they have breath in their lungs before
they perish. Heart Check.
Where
have you placed your hope? In the hope of
man's schemes or in the Eternal hope of
God's faitfulness?
BORDERS
| Psalm 146:9
This
whole section is a character list of God
in his conduct, and what an ideal king or
righteous ruler will do for his people.
We could focus on 12 different traits here,
but one in particular really caught my eye
and attention, especially in today's age.
If you live in the United States, and you
know what, it's not only here, but also
these sojourners that the Lord looks out
for. Sojourners, you may wonder, what is
that?
That
is a stranger in a land that's not their
own. So, politics aside, what does the Lord
say he will do for the sojourners? He watches
over them and will uphold the widows and
the fatherless. He executes justice for
the oppressed, the sojourners who come to
our land who are oppressed, the widows,
and the fatherless, he watches over them,
he approaches them with love, compassion,
and mercy. So, politics aside, if there
is a stranger in your land, how do we show
them the love of Christ?
If
they're here, we are to show them love compassion,
and mercy, just as the Lord has done. So,
heart check.
Have
you placed borders around your heart toward
sojourners, the widows, and the fatherless?
(Sidebar:
there is another thing that could be addresses
here, but it's not relevant to today's reading,
and that is how people come into lands that
are not their own which would cover laws
and immigration. That is not something we
will discuss here today.)
GREAT
PHYSICIAN | Psalm 147:3
Psalm
147 speaks of the Lord healing the brokenhearted
and binding up their wounds, which can be
both physical and spiritual. In my life
and marriage, this has been a profound truth.
My husband’s journey with cancer is a significant
part of our testimony. He bears physical
scars from his illness and spiritual scars
from before the cancer. Yet, our great physician,
Yahweh, healed both.
When
we discovered the tumor in my husband's
chest, the first thing we did was pray.
We sought support from our church community,
who prayed with us and provided incredible
support during his treatment. Often, people
asked how they could help, and my husband's
consistent response was, “Your prayers.”
Some saw this as empty, but he clarified,
asking them to read God's word with him.
He encouraged phone calls to discuss scripture
together.
Through
his illness, my husband gained a platform
to evangelize to friends and family. This
led to many conversations about faith and
numerous prayers for salvation. The great
physician was at work, healing my husband
physically and strengthening his spirit
and igniting a passion for evangelism. So,
heart check:
Do
you need a prescription for spiritual healing
from the great physician?
JOYFULRELATIONSHIP
| Psalm 147:10-11
Psalm
147:11 tells us the Lord takes pleasure
in those who fear Him and place their hope
in His steadfast love. This is not about
our achievements or performances but about
our reverence for God. After reading through
the Proverbs and preparing for Bible studies,
I began to say a simple prayer: “Fear the
Lord.” It didn’t seem profound, but it was
what I needed.
One
day, after dropping my kids o£ at
Vacation Bible School, I felt like a "hot
mess" mom. I saw another woman who
looked perfect—fresh makeup, great hair,
fit, and driving a nice, clean car. I started
to feel envy creeping in. With five kids,
managing the ministry with Kanoe, and running
a side business, it was easy to feel inadequate.
But in that moment, I prayed, “Fear the
Lord.”
Immediately,
the Lord changed my perspective. He took
away my envy, reminding me that my role
is to worship and praise Him, not to compare
myself to others. The woman I envied has
her own journey with God, and my focus should
be on my own walk with Him. Often, we think
people are judging us, but they’re usually
not even paying attention. It’s our own
thoughts that need realignment, so heart
check:
Is
your relationship with God delighting Him?
Do you need to change your thoughts and
focus on fearing the Lord?
HEAR
THE CRY | Psalm 147:15
This
vivid imagery illustrates the power and
presence of God’s word, which actively seeks
us out to transform our lives, whether we
are ready for it or not.
While
preparing for these Bible studies, my mother
came to help with the kids. One morning,
as I sat at Burger King, I heard an infant's
cry. If you’re a mother or a nurse, you
recognize that cry immediately. Even though
I didn’t have a newborn, my instinct to
react was strong. This is how God’s word
operates—it responds to us and is always
proactive, seeking out those in need.
God’s
word is alive and constantly available.
It will find you in dark places, bringing
light and transformation. So, heart check.
Did
you find His word swiftly, or did you try
to run from it, only to be confronted by
it repeatedly?
TO
CREATE | Psalm 148:1-10
Psalm
148:10 mentions heavens, angels, sun, moon,
stars, all creatures, mountains, and hills,
highlighting how all creation, from the
smallest insect to the birds in the sky,
proclaims God's majesty and glory. Everything
brought into being by His living word testifies
to His greatness. Are we worshipping creation,
marveling at its beauty and intricacy, or
are we worshipping the Creator who made
it all? So, heart check:
Are
you directing your worship to the cration
or the Creator?
PROMISES
| Psalm 149
Psalm
149 reminds us that the Lord is faithful
and never breaks His promises. My children
are at Vacation Bible School this week,
and the theme is God's promises. Even my
son can tell you what he knows about God’s
promises. Heart Check.
Are
you trusting in God's promises?
PROMISES
| Psalm 149
Psalm
150:6 emphasizes that everything with breath
should praise the Lord. This is the final
heart check from the Psalms. If you have
breath in your lungs, sing a Hallelujah.
The last verse of the last Psalm calls us
to praise the Lord: Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah! Heart Check.
Do
you have breath in your lungs? Then sing
Hallelujah and praise the Lord!
Deep
Dive
How
can we apply the concept of worship from
Psalm 134 in our daily interactions?
How
does a God-centered life o£er fulfillment
in times of struggle?
How
can we internalize the promises of security
and peace from Psalm 147:12-14?
How
can we recognize and respond to the transformative
power of God's word?
How
can we infuse joy and creativity into our
personal and corporate worship?
What
practical steps can we take to maintain
reverence for the Lord in our daily lives?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you, Lord, forthr gift of
salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ.
We
humbly come before You, our Heavenly Father,
with hearts overfiowing with gratitude and
praise for Your constant presence in our
lives.
Your
word reminds us in Psalm 147:11 that You
take pleasure and delight in us, not because
of our achievements or accolades, but because
we fear You and place our hope in Your steadfast
love. We praise You for this unfathomable
love that surrounds us every day. Lord,
we confess that there are times when we
feel envy and inadequacy. In those moments,
help us to remember to fear You and trust
in Your perspective. Just as You spoke to
our hearts in those moments of envy, we
ask You to continue transforming our minds
and hearts. Let us find our worth and value
in Your love and not in the fieeting standards
of this world.
Praise
the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise Your God,
O Zion! For You strengthen the bars of our
gates and bless our children within us.
You make peace in our borders and fill us
with the finest of wheat (Psalm 147:12-14).
We praise You for these promises of security,
provision, and peace. We trust in Your unfailing
love and constant care for us.
Your
word, Lord, runs swiftly, seeking us out
even when we try to hide. It finds us in
our darkest places and brings light and
transformation. We thank You for Your living
word that is always available to us. Help
us to seek it earnestly and allow it to
change us from within.
Praise
the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him in
the heights! Praise Him, all His angels!
Praise Him, all His hosts! Sun and moon,
praise Him! All shining stars, praise Him!
(Psalm 148:1-3). All creation declares Your
glory, and we join in this chorus, lifting
our voices and hearts to You.
Lord,
let everything that has breath praise the
Lord (Psalm 150:6). We o£er You our
praise with joyful hearts, with dancing,
with tambourines, and with every instrument
of our lives. May our worship be a sweet
aroma to You, filled with genuine gratitude
and love.
1Kings
9 and 2Chronicles 8 both recall the Lord
answering Solomon's prayer at the Temple
celebration. The Lord renews His promise
to keep his descendants on the throne over
Israel if he and his sons remember to obey
and follow the Lord's commandments throughout
their generations. Judgment is also spoken
over them if they fail to comply with His
commands and turn to idolatry.
Solomon
pays King Hiram for his generosity in supplying
the lumber and gold for the Temple. Numerous
other architectural and shipbuilding accomplishments
were completed under Solomon's reign.
2Chronicles
begins with Solomon rebuilding cities in
Israel, including the twenty he had originally
given to Hiram. Solomon also disobeyed Deuteronomy
17:16 by expanding his chariots and cavalry
and implementing forced labor from the remaining
Canaanites in the land.
His
wife, a princess of Egypt, was given her
own house outside the city as he attempted
to separate her as an unbeliever from the
holy Temple he just built for the Lord.
Solomon supervised the work in the Temple
to ensure the yearly feasts and sacrifices
were continually observed, and the priestly
duties were well-ordered. Hiram provides
help with Solomon's newly established sea
trading business.
FAITHFUL
IN BETWEEN | 1 Kings 9:1-2
The
Lord’s first appearance to Solomon happened
twenty years before this visitation.
This
tells us that there can sometimes be significant
gaps between our revelations or spiritual
encounters. In the in-between, many people
lose faith because they aren’t feeling the
way they did in the beginning or there isn’t
that excitement anymore.
Even
reading through the New Testament might
seem like there are miracles after miracle,
but we have to remember that the books of
the Bible span decades. The Lord tells us
that we walk by faith and not by sight.
So, during this lifetime, as He develops
us for the long haul of eternity, discipline
and faithfulness are constantly being built
and tested. The question is… Heart Check.
Are
you able to remain faitful in the in-between?
Or do you rely on spiritual encounters to
keep you coming back?
OVERLOOKING
THE REMNANT | 2 Chronicles 8:8
This
was the beginning of compromise. Because
the Israelites didn’t rid the land of all
the Canaanites, Solomon is now using them
to his advantage. He sees the remnant as
a source of income. In other words, he’s
giving sin a foothold by letting it hang
out for the benefit.
Sometimes,
this can happen to us, when we don’t see
the immediate consequences of sin, so we
overlook it, only to deal with the repercussions
later. And this will happen when this remnant
reintroduces idolatry, leading to the downfall
of the entire nation. Heart Check.
Is
there a remnant of sin hanging out in your
life or being overlooked?
Deep
Dive
How
does God’s rea£irmation of the covenant
with Solomon relate to the covenant made
through Jesus?
What
kind of spiritual commitments can be seen
in the formation of political alliances
like the one made with Hiram? What might
the consequences of this be?
How
does the warning given to Solomon relate
to our lives today?
How
was forced labor seen in these days? How
does this refiect Solomon’s leadership?
How
can we guard against compromise or slow
drifting from the Lord? What are the warning
signs?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for this reminder of how
you will always remain faithful to those
who follow after you.
But
we also thank you for the warning that is
necessary, especially in times of peace
or security. It’s after our greatest accomplishments
that our defenses can sometimes weaken,
and we begin to compromise. I pray that
you will keep us vigilant and ever so discerning
so that we don’t fall into this trap. You
have spoken thousands of promises and commands,
so we have no excuse for not knowing what
we are supposed to do or not do. I pray
that we will walk with integrity of heart
and uprightness, always leaning into your
Spirit and your Word. Even when we do stumble
or fall, I pray that you will pick us up
quickly so we can get back on the right
track.
If
there is any area of compromise that is
being overlooked in our lives, please make
it clear. Highlight it in living color so
that we will surrender it to you. The enemy
wants us to think that we can handle it
or that the benefit of it outweighs the
risk. So, if we have given him a foothold,
pull our foot out of that space so that
the door can be slammed shut and never opened
again.
For
those who are in a season of building, I
pray that you will give them steadfastness
and clarity in knowing what to do, who to
do it with, and how to build. May they not
become discouraged when they hit snags or
delays. Let every plan be committed to you
as we declare that they will succeed as
you have planned it out. We know that what
you have started, you will be faithful to
complete. Help us not to be wise in our
own eyes but always seek you every step
of the way.
When
we do complete or achieve something great,
may our hearts not grow prideful, weary,
lazy, or discontent. It’s in those pivotal
or transitional moments where we can be
the most vulnerable, so I pray for strength
in those areas of weakness. May our zeal
in the building continue into the real-life
living. Keep us diligent in every season,
as we walk in righteousness.
Thank
you, Jesus, for being a “no matter what”
kind of guy. Because of what you did on
that cross, there’s no longer an if/then
covenant. We are covered by your blood.
But I pray that we do not crucify you over
and again by choosing to go backward.
From
this day forward, may we only move in your
direction, never turning back to the old.
We are a new creation, a new temple, where
your Spirit dwells. So I pray that we will
be a people of prayer and praise, for you
inhabit the praises of your people.
That’s
where we want to be—wrapped in your covering
all the days of our lives. So may we do
our part in maintaining our devotion to
and fellowship with you.
But
if our temple needs repairs, we give way
to you, our Healer and our Restaurator.
Thank you for always being willing to take
our brokenness and turn it into something
beautiful.
The
sayings in Proverbs 25 were among those
collected and copied under the supervision
of King Hezekiah.
In
these proverbs, Solomon explains that everything
seen in our world is still nothing compared
to the things God has yet to show us. Likewise,
those who are able to discover a fraction
of knowledge of our world and the universe,
bring glory to the Lord's majesty.
Humility,
wisdom in when to speak, boasting, self-control,
gluttony of all forms, and how one should
treat others are a few of the themes.
Proverbs
26 explains the dangers of laziness and
squandering one's time.
Those
who refuse correction should be avoided,
as well as those who despise wisdom, honor,
and speak absurdities. Lacking initiative,
blaming others, and having undeserved confidence
are hallmarks of the sin of idleness.
A
fool excels in exaggeration and mischief,
and lacks self-control, while the wise are
careful to guard their speech and avoid
being meddlesome. One who is untrustworthy
will have hatred in their heart, keep a
grudge, and speak flattery.
WRITTEN
WISDOM | Proverbs 25
King
Hezekiah ruled 240 years after Solomon’s
death, and his men gathered these proverbs
here. Imagine the scene of these men of
the court sifting through literature and
finding all these proverbs. They must’ve
felt like they hit the jackpot!
It’s
the same feeling I get when I go to estate
sales—I don’t go for the valuable collectibles.
You will find me sifting through the trash,
looking for old postcards and paperwork
(because I’m a junk journaler). The power
that is in the simple written word is so
incredible. And in a sense, I feel that
the glory of that person’s life is right
there in their writings.
This
is what Hezekiah must’ve been doing—restoring
the former glory of Solomon.
But
had his journals been tossed in the trash,
we may never have had the privilege of witnessing
this gift of his wisdom. This is one of
the reasons I love journaling Bibles and
journals in general. While technology is
great, imagine a child thumbing through
these written words and having the ability
to know the heart of their grandmother or
great-grandmother. Heart Check.
Will
your glory be known decades from now? Are
you leaving behind written words of wisdom?
ROLE
MODELS | Proverbs 25:5
Solomon
was one king who was able to establish his
kingdom in righteousness.
Israel
experienced unprecedented peace and prosperity
during his reign, so it would be wise of
us to listen to this advice.
While
he is speaking of removing bad counsel or
workers to establish righteousness in a
kingdom, our lives are the same. We all
have people squawking in our ears, giving
us counsel, from friends and family to TikTok.
It’s
up to us to decide what is dross and dulling
our value. Sometimes that means we need
to turn the knob on our receiver. In other
words, we need to find new role models through
another channel. Heart Check.
Who
are your role models? Who is giving you
advice? Do you need to turn the channel?
SELF-CONTROL
| Proverbs 25:28
A
city without defenses is vulnerable to attack
and will eventually be invaded and destroyed.
Solomon is saying that this is the case
with someone without self-control.
This
can translate to so many things. If you
don’t control what you eat, you will make
yourself vulnerable to the attack of sickness
and disease. If you can’t control your temper,
you may feel powerful in your venting, but
you are actually showing the weakness in
your character. If you can’t control your
alcohol, you will be vulnerable to becoming
an alcoholic and making unwise decisions
under the infiuence.
A
lack of self-control leads to nothing good.
I would say that we all fall short in one
way or another because we all have weaknesses.
This is why we need the Lord. Heart Check.
Do
you have self control? Or are there areas
of your life that are out of control? Have
you submitted it to the Lord and asked for
strength to overcome?
MEDDLING
| Proverbs 26:17
Remember
when our parents would tell us to mind our
own business?
In
this day and age of technology and social
media, minding your own business and respecting
people’s privacy have pretty much gone out
the window because we don’t face the consequence
of ever having to deal with that person
again. This is why you will find trolls
or keyboard warriors who are mighty with
their words behind the privacy of their
screens. I bet they wouldn’t be so bold
to say what they do to someone’s face.
There
was a day when I was quick with my tongue
and quick with my fingertips, getting into
heated debates online. And I never felt
good—my blood would boil, and I would literally
be shaking as I was typing because anger
was welling up within.
Nothing
good comes from this type of behavior. It’s
another one of those false senses of confidence.But
sadly, people who do this are only whittling
away on the inside. But this can be redeemed.
We can use social media and the words we
type to others for good! Heart Check.
Do
you meddle in other people's business? Do
you like to debate online or hide behind
the false security of the screen? Or are
you using technolgy to build people up?
GOSSIP
FUEL | Proverbs 26:20
In
other words, gossip dies if there is no
mouth to speak and no ear to hear. But if
the moment we hear something, we have that
burning desire to go pass on the info to
someone else, we will only add fuel to a
burning fire. Heart Check.
Does
gossip die with you? Or do you keep the
fire burning?
Deep
Dive
How
has “dross” affected leadership in society
today? How has the search for dross helped
or hindered democracies?
Why
would such a successful king like Solomon
highlight humility? What role does humility
play in leadership?
Have
you ever experienced over-indulgence? What
did you learn from it? How would moderation
have been a better choice? How can we combat
cravings of the fiesh?
What
are the benefits and the dangers of being
in an echo chamber?
Which
proverbs were restated or referred to by
principle in the New Testament?
How
might these proverbs help us with confiict
resolution?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for stretching us alittle
more through these timleess sayings and
proverbs of Solomon.
We
know that every time we feel the conviction
or correction from your Word, we are in
a process of purification, where the dross
is being removed so that we will be refiective
surface for your glory. May we not be resistant
to that change. Sometimes it’s hard for
us to let go of old habits or old ways,
but we ask that you simply remove it from
us. You have the power to do it where we
can’t in our own self-will.
We
pray against over-indulgence and ask that
you will help us to enjoy this life in moderation
so that there is still an appetite for more
at the end instead of sickness. We want
to be reliable and sensitive to what is
right in every situation. So give us self-control
today so that we are not vulnerable to attack
by the breakdown in our own defenses.
I
pray that we will walk in wisdom and righteousness,
never ignoring the pull of the bridle and
bit, for we know that when we are unteachable
or when we refuse to learn by wisdom, we
may have to learn the hard way and with
a little bit of pain. I pray that we will
be a people who can receive correction where
necessary but also those who can reject
an undue curse that may be spoken against
us. I pray that we will never stoop to the
level of the fool who speaks folly, but
instead respond graciously, the way that
you do when we act a fool. Give us discernment
to know the di£erence so that we don’t
fall into a trap that they may laying for
us.
Help
us to treat our enemies the way that you
advised us to do, Jesus. Instead of reacting
out of anger or seeking retaliation, giving
to them what we think they deserve, I pray
that we will instead be patient and kind,
praying blessings upon them and in a sense,
washing their feet by overlooking o£enses
that may have been petty or minor. When
we do that, we build up strength within
and our trust in you, that you will work
conviction in their hearts.
Give
us a spiritual vitamin boost today, with
energy and steadfastness to get things done.
We pray against laziness or weariness. Help
us to prioritize what is most important
and take the steps that are necessary.
I
pray that we will not be overwhelmed but
simply put one foot in front of the other,
knowing that if we are moving forward, we
are making progress.
We
don’t want to be useless or lame, or even
being a busybody but accomplishing nothing
of significance. So we commit our plans
to you, and we know that when we do, we
will succeed.
I
pray that if we have the temptation to listen
to or to pass on gossip, that you will bring
to memory these verses and allow the fire
to die with us. We don’t want to be drama
starters or stirrers but instead a people
who build up and pull out the best in others.
May we be activators of the gifts that others
have.
Help
us to use our desire to meddle in other
people’s business for good. May we be wise
counselors, dream releasers, and life givers.
In doing this, we will gain respect and
trust from others, but most of all, we will
gain honor from you.
So
may all of our decisions be wise, and may
we create a positive atmosphere everywhere
we go as we carry your Spirit with us into
every space.
Proverbs
27 reminds us that tomorrow is
never promised, so the decisions we make
with our time, talents, and friends matter,
especially in the eyes of our Lord. We have
the option to live wisely or foolishly,
and many of our actions and responses can
negatively a£ect those we love. Love
for one another fiourishes when we are attentive
to the struggles of others, comfort, edify,
and provide wise counsel to all. Reputations
are fragile, and we should avoid a boastful
and jealous heart. Those who live a foolish
life attempt to find satisfaction in their
lusts, refuse to control their anger, succumb
to jealousy, and in the end, never learn
from their errors.
Proverbs
28 reveals the di£erent
characteristics displayed between the righteous
and the wicked, and how those characteristics
can a£ect communities. The righteous
will uphold justice, show integrity, act
with discernment, and see that others receive
blessings. A wicked ruler who is unpredictable
refuses wise counsel, and is unable to be
brought under control is dangerous. Their
heart is hardened to the needs of others,
greedy, and think nothing of stealing from
others. They constantly live in fear and
paranoia and lead others astray in their
wickedness. The Lord will not listen to
or honor the prayers of the wicked who refuse
to follow His law.
Authority
is the main theme in Proverbs
29, as Solomon describes a healthy
respect that will be seen between leaders
and the people they are to lead. A leader's
authority is established to ensure the law
is obeyed and that discipline leads to wisdom;
the stubborn servant will refuse to be corrected
and have no respect for the law or those
in authority. One who rules with justice
and compassion will bring peace and blessing
to the land; they will not tolerate corruption
nor show any partiality in their decision-making.
A wicked ruler will lead with a forceful
hand and brutality, as they are fearful
of losing their position. There will be
no rejoicing heard throughout the land.
After
all their efforts, they will find nothing
but ruin in their pride and be humbled on
the day they endure God's wrath. When they
speak, it is evident they care only for
themselves, have no compassion for the people
they were chosen to lead, and have no concern
for justice or the innocent.
STAYING
PRESENT | Proverbs 27:1
Starting
off with a banger here!
Solomon
wisely tells us that we don’t know what
will happen tomorrow or the next day, so
there’s no place for boasting about what
you will do. Jesus continues this teaching
by telling us not to worry about tomorrow
because each day has enough trouble of its
own (Matt. 6:34).
In
other words, be present! If we focus so
much on the future, we’ll miss out on what
is right in front of us. If you think about
some of the most significant or valuable
days in your life, oftentimes, they aren’t
planned out. This proverb does not go against
planning because planning is necessary,
as we will see later in this chapter. But
when we put these two things together, we
can say, “Make a plan for tomorrow, but
be present in working for it today.” Heart
Check.
Are
you present in today? Or are you busy worrying
about tomorrow?
FILLING
UP | Proverbs 27:7
This
is that bu£et mentality—when you eat
at a buffet, everything looks so good at
first, but as soon as you finish that first
plate, the food becomes a little less tasty.
Last
year, I started intermittent fasting for
health reasons, which basically means that
I skip breakfast. Now, when lunchtime rolls
around, I am so hungry that even a plate
full of vegetables tastes good. So now I
consciously choose to eat healthier because
of the way it satiates, and as a result,
I lost a considerable amount of weight.
So,
spiritually, if God’s Word is the healthy
food or the sweet honey, and we go everywhere
else seeking satisfaction (and this can
even include things like conferences, sermons,
devotionals, etc.), everything will begin
to lose sweetness, especially His Word.
But if we fill up on the good stu£
first, giving His Word priority, then supplemental
studying will be even more powerful. Heart
Check.
What
are you filling up on? Is God's word still
sweet to you? Or do you need other food
to satisfy you?
CHANGING
OTHERS | Proverbs 27:16
Yesterday,
my husband was spending time with a couple
of our friends who had been married for
a few years, and one of them asked him,
“What is the secret to a lasting marriage?”
We
only have 16 years under our belts, but
that’s considerably longer than many young
marriages today. And I was impressed with
his answer. He told her, “I had to change
myself and stop trying to change her.”
That’s
what this proverb is speaking of—trying
to change another person is usually ineffective.
It’s like trying to grasp oil or restrain
the wind. Paul even tells us that love does
not demand its own way. So, if we truly
love a person, we will focus on working
on ourselves to be the best partner we can
be and trust the Holy Spirit to do His work
on our spouse. That has been the key to
the recovery of my once-broken marriage.
Heart Check.
Are
you trying to change someone? Or are you
focused on becoming the best partner you
can be?
HIDING
EYES | Proverbs 28:27
He
who hides his eyes would be one who refuses
to look upon those in need. It’s ignoring
the poor and turning a blind eye when you
know you can help. This requires discernment.
Many
of us have been in situations where you
do not feel right about giving money, or
you might offer to buy someone a sandwich
instead. This has happened to us several
times, and the person refused the food because
they only wanted money.
Others
have taken it, and I walked away knowing
I had done the right thing. This is where
you must trust the Holy Spirit to guide
you. It doesn’t take more than a second
to say in your Spirit, “How can I help?”
But if we don’t even ask, we are hiding
our eyes. Heart Check.
Do
youi turn away when you see somoen in need?
Or do you seek to help others where you
can?
FIGHTING
FIRES | Proverbs 29:8
Scoffers
are combative, cynical, and always lighting
people up—they are fire starters.
Conversely,
the wise will use their understanding and
righteous character to put up fiame retardant.
They
will stop fires in their tracks and won’t
allow them to continue to smolder because
they know how destructive they can be. Heart
Check.
Are
you a fire starter? Or a firefighter?
Deep
Dive
How
might these proverbs be divided into wisdom
and foolishness? What are the impacts? What
contemporary issues do they relate to?
How
do these proverbs speak to the importance
of friendships? What qualities are found
in good friends?
How
do we balance preparation and being present?
What about humility and boldness?
How
can “tilling the land” be defined in modern
or non-agrarian societies and jobs?
How
might these proverbs lend to good decision-making?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for another day of divine
instruction on navigating this life journey.
We
know that you have highlighted di£erent
themes, proverbs, words or sayings in each
of us, so I pray that we will take these
things to heart, write them down, think
about them, and allow them to be our guide
throughout the week. We know that life is
unpredictable, but you are a constant in
our lives that we can rely on to navigate
around the bumps in the road. I pray that
you will turn our wheel quickly when we
encounter foolishness so that we can continue
to lead a life of integrity and righteousness.
Thank
you for tomorrow and the plans that you
have for our lives. I pray that you will
help us to find the balance between making
plans but also maintaining a present spirit
for today. Only you know what tomorrow will
bring, so we will not worry nor boast about
it, but instead till our land today for
the harvest that will come in due season.
Help us to be present in our families, our
jobs, and in our communities. I pray that
we will not bury ourselves so deep in our
work that we grow impatient when anyone
tries to “interrupt” our work space and
time. Show us what is important, and I pray
that we will prioritize accordingly. Keep
us humble and fully trusting that you are
the one who will bring honor and promotion,
as long as we are faithful and diligent
in the work that you have laid out for us.
We
pray for good and faithful friends—ones
who will bring truth in love but also walk
in likeness of mind and unity of purpose
with you. Help us to be good friends to
others, always looking for how we can build
up and encourage. I pray that our eyes will
be open to the needs of those around us
and that our discernment will be heightened
so that we know where we can be of help.
May we be like iron sharpening iron, sparking
up good and productive conversations.
I
pray that the sweetness of your Word will
be the only food we crave to satisfy our
souls. If we are filling our hearts and
minds with other things, show us where we
can make a shift back to your Living Water.
We know this is the only place that will
truly satiate and quench our thirst.
I
pray for a special blessing upon marriages
today. We hear you and acknowledge the way
you want to change our hearts first before
we go and try to change others. We do want
to be the best partner we can be. They are
the first person we should be refiecting
your love to, so I pray that you will have
your way within us to be the best helpmate
possible. We want to bring excitement into
the rooms we walk into and not anxiety of
nagging and quarreling. I pray that the
change our spouse sees in us will be the
greatest testament to your faithfulness
and power. We know you have the power to
change any situation, so I pray for restoration
upon broken marriages today.
We
also pray for our leaders in our communities,
our churches, our jobs, and our nation.
May their hearts turn to you and may they
lead with humility, wisdom, true justice,
and integrity. Expose any wickedness that
lies dormant or where there may be deceit
lurking beneath the surface. We want to
be a part of a thriving community, and we
know that it starts at the top. So may they
value integrity over wealth or power and
lead us well. And for those who may be in
leadership, bless them today and give them
good understanding of justice. May they
be a blessing to those who work under them
and may everything they do fiourish.
We
pray for our children and thank you for
the precious gift that they are. Thank you
for allowing us to care for them here on
earth. May we lead them to be wise and to
have a healthy fear of you rather than fearing
man. You know every hair on their heads,
so I pray that you will protect them and
keep them safe, watching over every area
of their lives. We know that you ultimately
control their future but as we’ve read today,
we are the ones who will guide and discipline.
We are their first role models and will
continue to be until we leave this earth,
so help us to be the best parents we can
be so that they can thrive in all things.
I
pray a special blessing over all your people
here today. May prophetic vision rise up
within their hearts. Reveal to them divine
wisdom and guidance in how to live so that
they can walk in boldness and confidence
in their authority. Keep them on the right
path and may they abound with blessings.
I pray that their dreams will come to fruition
and that they will see the tangible results
of one who faithfully follows you.
We
are so grateful for the beautiful grace
you have poured into our lives.
The
book of Ecclesiastes is a unique book, written
in a pessimistic tone, as Solomon contemplates
the meaning and futility of life without
God. This first chapter lays out the foundation
that without the existence of God in one's
life, it is all ultimately meaningless;
there is no hope, and history will continue
to repeat itself. With all the wisdom he
was given, it becomes clear that only God
gives lasting meaning to our lives.
Ecclesiastes
2 discusses the pleasures one
seeks in this life, compares the wise to
the foolish, and works hard. Beginning with
pleasures, he points out that one can seek
out what one's heart desires, yet they are
only temporary and unfulfilling; one who
continually searches or desires the things
of this world and does not have the Lord
ultimately has an empty life. He asks about
the value of wisdom when both the wise and
foolish end up in the grave and questions
the meaning of hard work, because none of
it will matter when one leaves this world.
We can not take all that we have on this
earth with us.
Time
and the meaning of work are subjects discussed
in Ecclesiastes 3. Here, Solomon explains
that there is a time for everything in this
life, for every living thing on this earth,
whether physical, mental, or spiritual.
He believes God knows the future and is
in control and contemplates whether it is
best to work or just enjoy the time we have
on this earth.
Solomon
explains in Ecclesiastes
4, as he continues from the end
of chapter 3, the driving force of those
who are not godly-driven in their work,
and that he believes no man should be alone
in this world. He explains that companionship
will provide some happiness as it allows
one to have something to work for in this
life. Wisdom and power are fieeting and
meaningless, as someone else will always
replace them once they have left this earth.
Ecclesiastes
5 has Solomon reminding us not
to be careless with our words and promises,
even to the Lord, because although they
seem wise, they can end up good for nothing.
Material possessions are also meaningless
without God in one's life. Those who have
much, are never satisfied and continue searching
for true happiness they will never find.
Possessions will bring meaning to a person's
life when seen through godly eyes.
The
beginning of Ecclesiastes
6 continues the idea that one
works their whole life for material wealth,
and when they die, what was it all for?
Even those with all the wisdom in the world
are seen as useless without God to give
it meaning. He acknowledges that God has
already determined the future, and we cannot
argue with what God has destined for us;
only He truly knows how our time, money,
and possessions should best be used.
PERSPECTIVE
| Ecc. 1:1
“Vanity
of vanities” is similar to the way we say,
“King of kings” or “Lord of lords,” which
gives emphasis to the subject.
When
you hear the word vanity, you may think
of pride or someone who is vain. But this
word in Hebrew is Hebel which means “breath,”
“vapor,” or “emptiness.” So vanity of vanities
could be seen as “utter emptiness” or “the
ultimate absurdity,” because Solomon has
discovered that a life lived apart from
God is just that.
He
is the richest guy in the world, with 1000
wives and concubines and a prosperous kingdom
under him… yet it isn’t enough. His whole
purpose throughout this book is to tell
us, “Life is short.
Enjoy
it while you can. But if you want to find
true meaning, it won’t be found in life’s
accomplishments or possessions. It’s only
found in God.” Heart Check.
How
do you see this life? It's moving quickly?
Have you gained a new perspective since
you've grown closer to the Lord?
PRICE
OF WISDOM | Ecc. 1:16-18
As
Solomon sought to make sense of life and
sought satisfaction everywhere, he eventually
realized that the more knowledge he gained,
the more sorrowful he became. Someone asked
the other day in the comments if anyone
else was beginning to feel more depressed
reading the book of Proverbs.
While
my heart broke at that moment, and I didn’t
know what to say, I understand now.
As
Solomon has said, the more wisdom you gain
through the word of God and the more you
begin to see what it takes to truly be holy,
the more injustice, evil, su£erings,
and di£iculties in this world you
will see when compared to that.
Remember
Jesus weeping over Jerusalem? He felt this
same sorrow!
It
can be discouraging if you don’t understand
God’s goodness and grace. Despite all of
that, He is on the throne and will have
the final say. But for now, He is giving
us mercy to get it right before it’s too
late. So here we see the cost of wisdom
that we have spoken of before. You will
pay a price because the wiser you become,
the more questions you might ask as more
thoughts are provoked. But this is where
faith comes in to help cover the cost.
These
are the times when we are being stretched
and strengthened if we stick it out. Heart
Check.
Are
you willing to paty the price of gaining
more wisdom? Can you relate to Solomon's
feelings of grief and sadness?
CHASING
THE WIND | Ecc. 2:11
Solomon
sees that all his work and all the time
and energy he spent doing it were for a
temporary moment of happiness. He sees now
that it wasn’t lasting—it was like chasing
or trying to grab hold of the wind. Heart
Check.
If
you fast forward to the end of your life,
will you look back and see that you were
chasing the wind? Are you working for momentary
pleasure?
SEEKING
BLESSING | Ecc. 2:17
This
made me sad to hear that he “hated life.”
That’s a strong sentiment! But it makes
sense—because he realizes that in seeking
everything for himself, he ultimately had
nothing of true worth. And this is what
will happen if we only seek personal satisfaction
and live for ourselves alone.
We
will ultimately end up dying alone. We will
have nothing else to look forward to, and
sorrow will set in in the end. But when
you live your life serving the Lord and
serving others, the focus shifts from always
looking within, and you will find joy in
being a blessing rather than always trying
to get a blessing.
It’s
counterintuitive to the way the world thinks.
Heart Check.
Are
you always seeking a blessing? Or looking
for ways to be a blessing?
ETERNAL
BACKDROP | Ecc. 2:1-23
Up
to this point, Solomon has sought wisdom
through philosophy and education, he has
sought pleasure through partying, hobbies,
accomplishments, family, fame, and fortune—all
worthy pursuits.
Yet,
he realizes that none of that truly made
him happy. He found meaning in none of it
in the end. But if we know that God is the
giver of all good things, and we keep Him
at the center of these things in our lives,
when put against the backdrop of eternity,
they will have brilliance, much like a diamond
does when held against a black backdrop.
But
if we don’t have eternity as our backdrop,
we will endlessly search for meaning and
purpose. Heart Check.
What
is your backup of your life? Is your goal
to find meaning and purpose? Or seeking
God, who is the giver of meaning and purpose?
EAT,
DRINK, & BE MERRY | Ecc. 2:24
My
understanding of “eat, drink, and be merry”
has evolved over the years. Early in my
Christian walk, I used to run around telling
people, “Well, the Bible says to eat, drink,
and be merry,” as an excuse to party.
When
I got serious about my faith, I remember
hearing a sermon about Solomon’s backslidden
state, in which he wrote these words. Then,
I started walking around condemning everyone
in my own mind when they would repeat these
words, thinking they were “wrong.” But now
I see it from both perspectives, and I believe
Solomon presents it in such a way.
He
went through the same evolution in understanding
what this phrase means. He also had a season
of “living it up” and compromising his faith.
But now, in the end, he can say this with
God in mind and have a completely di£erent
intention because eating, drinking, and
being able to see good or find joy in this
life is ultimately a gift from God that
should be enjoyed responsibly. Heart Check.
What
is your understanding of this phrase? Has
it changed as you have grown wiser? Do you
enjoy this life as a gift from God? Or do
you seek the things of this world to bring
excitement and enjoyment to your life?
ESTABLISHED
PURPOSE | Ecc. 3:14-15
Here,
Solomon briefiy moves away from the “under
the sun” thinking. He briefiy understands
God’s true purpose for our lives—to live
with reverence and awe (otherwise known
as fear) of Him.
When
we do this, it frees us up from the idea
that we have to work to earn His love and
acceptance. But His love endures forever,
and therefore, there is nothing we can do
to make Him love us anymore and any less.
No amount of completed Bible studies or
missions served will change His mind about
us.
It’s
already been established-- permanently,
e£ectively, and completely. We are
His treasured possession, the apple of His
eye, His children. And no one can take that
from us. Heart Check.
Are
you trying to earn God's favor, love, and
acceptance? Or do you understand that His
love for you is already established and
that you can rest in that?
MAKING
DO | Ecc. 6:7-9
After
all this “eat, drink, and be merry” talk,
Solomon continues with the idea that we
are better o£ making do with what
we have than dreaming about what we don’t
have.
My
whole life, I grew up watching my daddy
buy lottery tickets every week. He had drawings
of the house he would build and many lists
of how he would allocate his winnings. He
was living for what he didn’t have. I now
realize that this was likely a major cause
of his extreme depression and isolation.
He often blamed God for his unfortunate
circumstances, which was heartbreaking.
I vowed never to be that way. Instead of
being mad about what I didn’t have, I told
myself that I was going to make the best
of what I did have and work toward what
I didn’t.
That’s
why I ran for Miss Hawaii—so I could get
a scholarship to pay for the college we
couldn’t a£ord. It’s why we moved
to Vegas, so our kids could one day comfortably
live in their island home. Life is a series
of investments and steps toward a better
future. But if we only dream while refusing
to honor the gift set before us, it will
all feel empty and worthless in the end.
Heart Check.
Are
you making do with what you have? Or are
you angry about what you don't?
Deep
Dive
How
has Solomon’s view on life changed your
perspective on purpose and life?
How
would you describe the vanity of vanities?
What are some modern-day examples that might
fit this phrase?
How
have you seen the pursuit of happiness fail
or become successful? What were the conditions
of each? Was it lasting?
Do
these chapters motivate you to live di£erently?
How
do you view mortality and death in light
of these chapters?
How
do you see the heartbeat of God where Solomon
never spoke of Him or His commandments?
I
see the very essence of your being through
the heart of Solomon and the words he spoke.
I see you in the way that he challenges
us to confront this life head on and push
beyond the limits of our carnal thinking.
I see you in the way that you have purposed
our life from before the beginning of time,
and in due time, you will bring it to fruition.
I see you in the way this world keeps on
spinning no matter how much we might think
that it has stopped in its tracks when something
doesn’t go as we planned. I see you in the
way this life is but a vapor, yet you’re
the giver of every breath we take. And it
all has meaning with you.
Thank
you that you have chosen us as your children
to have purpose and meaning. Thank you for
giving us the ears to hear your call and
the heart to respond. We don’t ever want
to look back, and instead of promising that
we won’t, we ask that you will lead us onward
so that we continue moving forward with
you always. And as we grow with you, I pray
that the more we question, the more you
will answer, so that every doubt will be
washed away and our trust in your sovereignty
will grow.
Thank
you for giving us a satisfaction in this
life that we never knew before. Seeking
after anything but you was futile, but we
now see and appreciate the lessons that
we learned along the way. Thank you for
taking everything and turning it for good
for those who love you and are called according
to your purpose. We are especially grateful
for your divine gift of provision, providence,
and fulfillment. I pray that we can find
true joy that is not sourced from the things
in this life, but from the Giver of those
simple pleasures as we acknowledge where
they came from.
If
anyone is chasing the wind today, I pray
that you will ever so gently nudge their
heart and let them know that you see them.
And you don’t see them for their lack of
devotion, but you see the righteousness
that they are in Christ Jesus. You see the
beautiful child that you made for your great
purpose. I pray that you will give them
the same lenses so they can see themselves
in the same way. No amount of achievements,
possessions, wealth, success, or even family
and friends can leave us with a life of
meaning if it is lived without you. So as
we figure this out, shift our hearts to
desire to be a blessing rather than acquire
blessings. For in serving you and serving
others, we will be blessed beyond measure
and in ways we could’ve never imagined.
The best gift of all is a heart that is
content and at rest.
Thank
you for every season that we ebb and fiow
through in this life. We know that you make
all things beautiful in its time, and when
we understand that, it gives us the freedom
to let go a little and allow you to lead.
Our work then becomes less toilsome, the
yoke becomes easy and the burden, light.
If anyone’s heart is scrunched up a little
in confusion, will you loosen the grip of
whatever it is that is grabbing on to them.
For
anyone having a hard time seeing all of
the injustice, evil, destruction, and war
and trying to reconcile that with you being
a good God who has our best interest at
heart, I pray for an added dose of steadfast
love in their lives. Calm their hearts and
let them know that you are on the throne
and that you have the final word. You will
make all things right one day. You will
bring justice upon those who choose evil
and reject you. We don’t rejoice in that
because it breaks your heart, for you desire
all to come to repentance, but some simply
won’t.
As
we choose you today, help us to step away
from an envy-driven activity and to appreciate
what we have in front of us. I pray that
we will be content and quiet in spirit so
that we are not restlessly and greedily
toiling through life. May our speech be
lined with integrity and our character infused
with godliness. I pray that we will live
our lives out in such a way that when we
get to the end, we will see it as a life
that was full and not futile. Because when
we live in reverence and in awe of you,
our days will be whole. Thank you for helping
us to see that.
Ecclesiastes
7 examines life struggles and
questions the notions of life and death
without an eternal perspective. He begins
with the notion that a life void of meaning
is worse than death, that without an eternal
perspective, a person is left wondering
if the existence was worth all of the pain,
struggles, and anxieties they faced. Without
considering God daily, one would live life
in complete comfort. Gaining wisdom gives
a perspective not otherwise obtained through
lack of struggles, and will give a small
bit of meaning to their life. They will
see life as Ecclesiastes 3 understands that
the good must be taken with the bad, to
make a well-rounded person. One without
considering God in their life leaves one
trying to live a balanced life instead of
a fruitful one.
Ecclesiastes
8 reasons that obeying governing
authorities is wise to avoid future disagreements
and troubles. Viewing life as this means
leaving a legacy is all that matters. However,
in this view, no justice seems to be served
because when everyone dies, all wickedness
is somehow forgotten, and only the good
is remembered. There is constant questioning
about why good people suffer, and evil
appears unpunished. They conclude it is
best to make the best of a bad situation
and enjoy life the best way possible.
Ecclesiastes
9 gives the perspective that
we all share the same fate, so if God does
not matter, one might as well live life
the best way they know how. If living this
way is the only thing that matters, then
does anything matter? Many will take in
the little pleasures they can because there
is nothing beyond this life to live otherwise.
Time and chance are obstacles to fully understanding
what gives meaning to life. The good a person
does in life is not remembered for long
in a life void of meaning. Wisdom has no
ultimate purpose but can be useful in navigating
away from conflict as one lives day in and
day out.
Ecclesiastes
10 explains that reputation is
the main theme in one's life, and nothing
else matters outside this life. They are
easily spoiled, and a person would work
their entire life to maintain. Wisdom and
folly become obvious in one's life, as to
what and who they view as of value to them
and how they live their life. Things in
life are unfair, so how does one reconcile
these matters? Some are promoted, and some
are made lowly. Fools will presume many
things, and not consider the future. They
lack a sense of direction and goals, and
live life for themselves, believing this
life is all there is. Wicked, incompetent
leaders curse a land, and the good and faithful
will see the land and its people are blessed.
Ecclesiastes
11 speaks on working for a return
not immediately seen, with blind trust and
faith. The principle of cause and effect
directs thoughts towards eternity.
Wickedness
or goodness is not often answered in this
life, but it would be in eternity. Moments
of opportunity are missed as one waits for
the best outcome. Human knowledge is limited,
there are examples of God working on in
lives and through creation that defy explanation;
even considering our origin, we don't know
these hidden things. We know less about
the future than we pretend.
In
Ecclesiastes 12, Solomon's conclusion
to "Under the Sun" is that life
is more pleasurable knowing there is a God
who is concerned with having you remember
that judgment one day comes. He pleads for
the young to value their days, knowing we
will all face judgment. Ultimately, they
will grow up knowing they are living a meaningful
life for a God who is concerned for them.
OPPORTUNITY
IN ADVERSITY | Ecc. 7:1-3
Christians
and Jews are some of the only people who
can rejoice in suffering. Eastern religions
will try to rise above it; the Greeks and
Romans shunned it, but we look at it as
an opportunity to grow and a time of refining.
This
isn’t a natural thing we do, but it’s been
taught by the very Word that came from the
mouth of God. When I look back at some of
the most significant moments in my life,
they were all birthed out of adversity.
Heart Check.
Are
you able to see your sorrow or struggle
as an opportunity to learn and grow in the
Lord? Or are you trying to rise above or
avoid it?
FACING
DEATH | Ecc. 7:2, 4
If
we didn’t already know this, Solomon has
made it very clear that we’re all going
to die one day.
For
most people, that is a scary thought, mostly
because of fear of the unknown. We do everything
we can to avoid death’s early arrival. Solomon
doesn’t want us to have a morbid outlook
on life but he does want us to face death
realistically and to know where your destination
is once you depart.
It’s
an opportunity to consider which road you’re
currently on and where you’re headed. Because
as long as you’re still living and breathing,
you have an opportunity to change directions
so that you receive the gift of grace rather
than the judgment of God. And when you know
that you’re walking down His road, you will
be free to make the most of this life.
As
Solomon put it, you will be able to eat,
drink, and be merry, knowing that this life
is a gift, but the next is an even greater
one. Heart Check.
How
do you view death? Does it scare you? Why
or why not? Are you living to die? Or dying
to live?
GOOD
OL’ DAYS | Ecc. 7:10
I’m
pretty sure we all long for “the good ol’”
days at some point. For me, I especially
feel this way when I can’t pack my full-sized
shampoo in my bag and have to take off
my shoes at TSA. Or when I’m filling up
gas, I think back to my college days when
I could put in $5, which would last me another
few days. It’s easy to refiect on all that
was good, and we tend to forget that those
days had many problems. Some of my favorite
books as a kid were the Boxcar Children
and the Little House on the Prairie series
because they expressed such a simple way
of life.
They
didn’t seem to face the issues I was dealing
with in today's society. But what I failed
to think about was that in those days, when
people got sick, there were no ambulances
to come and pick them up. When sickness
began spreading, there were no pharmacies
to go grab some antibiotics.
So
Solomon is trying to tell us that the former
days aren’t necessarily better, despite
the memories that are floating around in
your head. So, instead, live for today.
Stop longing for what was or what will be.
Heart Check.
Are
you living for today? Or do you long for
the good ol' days?
CONTENT
IN NOT KNOWING | Ecc. 8:16-17
In
the end, Solomon says to be content with
not knowing everything. Otherwise, you will
be discouraged. He knows this well, and
we see it play out right here. The more
he dug for wisdom, the more perplexed he
became. But his conclusion is that there
are some mysteries that he does not know.
He knew he needed to accept that, and therefore
so do we. Because ultimately, we have promises
to stand on, like the peace that surpasses
all understanding and the good that He is
working out in all things. He will make
things right one day. Heart Check.
Do
you get frustrated when you can't understand
all things? or are you content with not
knowing everything and standing on the promises
you do have?
FOCUS
| Ecc. 9:9
This
counteracts any negative interpretations
that one might have about Solomon's attitude
toward women or his wives.
Here,
he says they are a gift from God and should
be enjoyed. He even tells us in Proverbs
18:22 that “he who finds a wife finds a
treasure and favor from the Lord.”
Imagine
if we all saw our marriages and spouses
this way daily. Like every day is Christmas
morning when we wake up next to them, rather
than being annoyed because they didn’t take
the trash out or because they’re “doing
that thing” again. Imagine loving and serving
Jesus as our focus rather than their weaknesses
and failures.
I
remember when I was a fiight attendant,
and one of our pilots was celebrating a
pretty significant anniversary, and one
of the other fiight attendants asked him
what the secret to marriage was. He very
slowly asked, “Do you really wanna know?”
And all of us twenty-somethings eagerly
nodded yes, and he replied, “My Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ,” before walking back
to the cockpit.
I
never forgot that and still hear his voice
in my head when things get a little rocky.
“My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” It radically
depressurizes what could be a very nuclear
situation when I take the focus off my husband
and myself and put it back on Jesus. Heart
Check.
Where
is your focus? On Jesus? Or onother people?
SHARPEN
YOUR AX | Ecc. 10:10
Solomon
is saying that if you don’t have sharp skills,
you will have a lot harder time trying to
accomplish something than those who do.
But this doesn’t mean we don’t pursue something
if we aren’t skilled. Most of those called
by the Lord never felt adequate to do what
God was asking of them. But they had to
pull up their big kid pants and get to sharpening
their axes.
I
didn’t know how to start a podcast last
year. I had to sharpen the ax! Thank God
for YouTube University. You can learn anything!
So don’t let a dull ax keep you from pursuing
what God has called you to do. Heart Check.
Do
you need to sharpen your ax? Are there skills
that need to be honed?
TAKING
FAITH RISKS | Ecc. 11:1-5
Solomon
basically says in these first 5 verses that
life is full of risk and reward.
If
we don’t take risks or grab hold of opportunities,
we will never gain the reward.
And
just because we don’t know what the future
holds doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything.
Instead, we should step out of the boat
in faith, knowing that we will walk on water
if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
If
we think about life that way, it will be
more of an adventure than work. But if we
overanalyze and overthink, we will get so
bogged down by worry that we will have paralysis
by analysis and never move forward. Or if
we are waiting for perfection, we will never
find it, because there is no perfection
outside of heaven. Heart Check.
Are
you taking risks and steps of faith? Or
are you too busy overthinking or demanding
perfection?
Deep
Dive
Compare
and contrast life and death from a worldly
perspective and an eternal perspective.
How do they differ? What are the benefits
or liabilities of each view?
What
words of wisdom are most valuable to you
as spoken by Solomon? How do they help you
navigate through this life?
What
challenges do you think Solomon faced in
seeking out wisdom? What role does the limitation
of human knowledge play in it?
How
does society look at the aging process?
How does God view it? And now how do you
view it?
What
is wisdom’s role in today’s society? Is
it growing? Or waning? What are the consequences?
What
are the major themes in today’s reading?
Where did you see God’s heartbeat?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for allowing us to reflect
in a very realistic way about this life
on earth.
While
we all know that our lifespan has its limitation,
we still somehow become anxious about growing
old and even dying. But when we have an
eternal perspective and when we live our
lives in fear of you, we don’t need to fear
death. When we trust you, we don’t need
to worry about what we might leave behind.
Because you care for those who will still
be here even when we are not. And as hard
as that may be to think about, it’s also
necessary. So in the meantime, help us to
live our lives to the fullest, enjoying
every gift as if it’s the last one we will
ever get.
I
pray that we will live with integrity so
that our reputation will both precede and
proceed us as one that lived in fear and
honor of you. I pray that especially in
seasons of adversity or struggle, that we
will count it all joy, knowing that these
are the times when you are strengthening
our faith through testing and refining our
character.
Keep
us strong and walk with us through the fire
when this happens. Jesus, you called those
who mourn, blessed. So if anyone is in a
struggle right now, see them through it,
and may they see the blessing that will
come of it.
Thank
you for every season in our lives, past,
present, and future. While we can reminisce
and be grateful for the former years, help
us not to get stuck in what was, to the
point that we can’t move forward today.
You never, from the beginning of time, intended
for anything to remain static, so help us
to embrace change, even when it goes against
our desires. We know that you are working
all things together for good, and we will
hold to that promise forever, as we continue
walking by faith and not by sight.
Thank
you for the reminder that there is not one
who is righteous. This frees us from the
unattainable expectation of perfection.
So instead of trying to be overly righteous
or giving up and falling back into sin,
I pray that we will simply maintain a heart
that is open before you in confession and
repentance always. That way we can shine
your favor through our countenance as we
live from the beautiful grace that you have
so freely given.
Please
continue to guide us today in all things,
revealing to us the right timing and the
know how in every matter we face.
I
pray that we will not become overly burdened
with the work or the idea of the unknown.
If we knew everything, there would be no
reason for faith. Help us to enjoy the work
that we do and every gift you have given
to us, especially the gift of marriage.
If
there is any fixing that needs to happen,
help us to do it now and not wait until
it's too late. We don’t know when our last
breath will be, so give us the push and
guidance to pursue righteousness, with wisdom
as our guide.
I
pray we will be diligent in all things,
sharpening our axes where necessary and
working mightily as unto you.
In
1 Kings 10, the Queen of Sheba heard of
Solomon's great wisdom. With a great entourage,
she traveled a considerable distance to
witness Solomon's wisdom firsthand. She
brought great treasures to Solomon from
her land, and we are told of other riches
he received as his annual income. Solomon's
wealth increased exponentially, and the
rest of the chapter details that great wealth.
1
Kings 11 begins with an explanation of Solomon's
apostasy and ends with his death. Solomon
had numerous wives from other lands who
continued to worship their childhood gods.
Solomon disobeyed the Lord's command for
one wife, which led him to compromise his
faith in the one true God. For his disobedience,
the Lord spoke judgment on his descendants.
Before concluding with his death, it seems
his wealth and wisdom did not guard him
from having adversaries in his old age.
2
Chronicles 9 begins with a recap of 1 Kings
10, where we see the arrival of the Queen
of Sheba, who has come in search of Solomon's
wisdom proclaimed all over the world. She
is astonished by his wisdom and speaks praises
toward his God who blessed Solomon with
this gift. An account of Solomon's wealth
and income is again provided in great detail,
as we come to the end of the life of the
wisest man.
SEEKER
| 1 Kings 10:7
The
Queen of Sheba wanted to see for herself
if what she had heard was true.
Jesus
expresses this “come and see” sentiment
in Jn. 1 when the disciples asked him where
He was staying, and He told them, “Come
and see.” It was an invitation to walk with
Him to experience His dwelling for themselves.
Jesus
also refers to the way the Queen of Sheba
came to seek out the wisdom of Solomon (Mt.
12:42), so this was a pretty significant
moment in history that is worth looking
at.
When
we take a look at her seeking, we see that
she was willing to make a hefty trek, she
came bearing generous gifts, she came with
genuine questions, she stayed a while, and
in doing so, she saw the blessing of God
and blessed Him in return.
This
is the way we, too, should come and seek
the Lord. Heart Check.
Are
you seeking the Lord this way? Are you willing
to go the distance? Are you generous? Do
you ask questions? Are you willing to stay
a while. Do you see His blessings and are
you blessing Him in return?
PEACEABLE
WISDOM | 1 Kings 10:7-9
For
a ruler of a nation, it is wise to know
who your potential enemies and allies are.
While I don’t think the Queen came with
any kind of hostility, I’m sure there was
a natural competitive spirit within her.
But
the beautiful thing that we see happen is
that Solomon’s wisdom actually lowered her
defenses because of how peaceable it was.
She saw a nation that is happy and at peace.
It’s like she had just walked into Finland
(a 2024 report says they are the happiest
nation).
Jn.
3:17 says that the wisdom from above is
pure, peaceable, humble, full of mercy and
good fruit, impartial, and sincere. That’s
the kind of impression I want to make on
people when they meet me for the first time.
Heart Check.
Do
you carry the wisdom from above? Are you
displaying a pure, peaceable, humble, merciful,
fruitful, impartial, and sincere spirit?
Deep
Dive
What
greater spiritual lessons can be learned
from the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon?
What
does her response to Solomon’s wisdom and
wealth display about her character?
How
would you describe Solomon’s wealth both
physically and spiritually? What were the
implications of it?
Polygamy
is not accepted in most societies today.
How might Solomon’s many foreign wives relate
to us spiritually?
Consider
the overall reign of Solomon and compare
it to the end of his life in these chapters.
How does this speak to the importance of
finishing well?
Why
do you think the Lord delayed the division
until after Solomon’s death?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the lessons learned
through the life of Solomon.
We
see a man who started off with the right
intentions, veered off course, and from
our understanding of Ecclesiastes, came
back in the end. That’s truly what matters—that
we make it back to you before it’s too late.
But none of us know when “too late” is,
so I pray that we will remain close to you
for the rest of our days.
In
the meantime, help us to be so wise and
so rich with fruit, that others do want
to come and see what this life is all about.
May we be the light to the world that you
intended for Israel. Jesus, you are the
Light that lives within us, so I pray that
we will remove any barriers that are keeping
that luminance from shining forth. I pray
that when others interact with us, their
breath will be taken away—not because of
anything we do to impress them, but because
of your Spirit that breathes new life into
them.
When
we come and seek your face each day, I pray
that we are willing to go the distance—to
do whatever it takes to be near you every
single moment of our lives. May we have
generous hearts that seek to bear gifts
to others. I pray that we won’t be afraid
to ask questions, for you said, Jesus, that
we should ask so that we can receive. You
promised that when we do, you would give
to us. Thank you for that. When we come
and see, I pray that our eyes will be opened
to witness your continued blessings that
are still poured out all over the earth.
And like the Queen of Sheba, may our visits
with you be long-lasting. We want to stay
a while in your Presence, so I pray that
we will not feel the anxiety of other appointments
or tasks that may be waiting in the wings.
We want to give you our full and undivided
attention. We want to have hearts like David,
who followed wholly after you. And I pray
that you will be blessed as we carry forth
the blessings that we receive when we are
with you. Thank you for that.
May
we not be carried away by the desires of
the fiesh. Loose any ties that we may have
to anything of compromise. Highlight the
excuses that we may be making to justify
our thoughts and actions. Forgive us where
we may be failing. But I pray that you will
correct us before we are so far gone that
it is even more difficult to make the trek
back. Keep us close to you always, and I
pray that we never stray from the shelter
of your wings.
Thank
you for the blessings that you pour out
unto us, whether physically or spiritually.
I pray that we will steward the gifts that
you give well, not gathering up more stuff,
but finding ways to use it to honor and
glorify you. Please continue to lead us
in this journey of life so that we can finish
well. I pray that we will get to the end
of our lives and be confident that we will
soon be hearing, “Well done my good and
faithful servant.” Until then, we humbly
submit ourselves to your will and purpose
for our lives.
Proverbs
30 features the words of Agur, an otherwise
unknown figure, who speaks a prophecy or
oracle filled with divine insight. The chapter
begins with Agur's humble acknowledgment
of his own ignorance and human limitations
compared to God's infinite wisdom.
Agur
starts by expressing his own lack of understanding,
which contrasts sharply with the divine
wisdom found in God's Word. Verses 5-6 emphasize
the perfection and reliability of God’s
words, warning against altering them. Agur
prays for a balanced life, asking for neither
poverty nor riches, to avoid the temptations
and sins associated with both. This prayer
highlights the importance of contentment
and dependence on God.
The
remaining verses o£er vivid illustrations
and observations about human behavior and
natural phenomena. Agur presents a series
of numerical sayings, each illustrating
di£erent characteristics and behaviors,
such as the arrogance of certain animals,
the destructive nature of greed, and the
insatiable desires of human beings. These
examples serve as warnings to avoid negative
traits and embrace godly wisdom.
Proverbs
31 contains the sayings of King Lemuel,
an otherwise unknown figure, or King Solomon,
who may be using a symbolic name meaning
"belonging to God." The chapter
is divided into two main sections: the first
part consists of advice from Lemuel’s mother,
and the second part is an acrostic poem
describing the virtuous woman.
Lemuel’s
mother warns him about the dangers of succumbing
to dishonest women and excessive wine, urging
him to live righteously and to care for
his people.
The
second part is an acrostic poem using the
Hebrew alphabet, designed to aid in memorization
and oral tradition. It describes an excellent
woman who embodies wisdom in action, serving
as a role model for women and a standard
for men to seek in a partner. This virtuous
woman is resourceful, hardworking, and intelligent.
She manages her household with diligence
and wisdom, engages in trade, and contributes
to the welfare of her family and community.
The poem serves to encourage women to strive
for these admirable qualities, focusing
on fearing the Lord and demonstrating this
fear through her actions. Rather than discouraging
women, this passage aims to inspire them
to live a life of praise and honor through
their faithfulness, hard work, and ingenuity.
GOD
BREATHED | Proverbs 30:6
This
line stresses that the word of God is inspired,
inerrant, and authoritative because it is
without error and divinely inspired. It
serves as a warning to avoid misinterpreting
God's fiawless word with our limited knowledge.
We should not try to impose our limited
understanding onto His holy word, as it
is complete and can be interpreted with
the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remember,
"All Scripture is God-breathed and
is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting,
and training in righteousness." - 2
Timothy 3:16 Heart check.
Are
you allowing God's word to breathe into
your life, or are you trying to breathe
your own understanding onto the living word?
THE
SIMPLE LIFE | Proverbs 30: 7-9
This
hit me hard. I came from humble beginnings
and struggled through poverty. I didn't
even realize that Goodwill was a thrift
store until college, as it was where I bought
all my clothes.
I
didn't have my first pair of name-brand
tennis shoes until 5th grade, and even then,
they were outdated, leading me to be ridiculed
for trying to stay on trend.
So,
the "simple life" Agur highlights
reminds me of my beginnings because I honestly
did not know we were living without. This
prayer is about contentment and striving
for godliness, not the constant desire for
more. It reminds us that if our hands are
already full of wealth and gain or empty
with a heart full of contempt for a£luence,
we need to heed the sin of greed, that desirous
nature of more, more, more.
This
simple prayer exemplifies Agur's desire
to avoid the trap of greed, which leads
to idolatry. Heart Check.
When
you come to the Lord in prayer, what is
on your lips? Are you seeking life or a
life of more?
(Sidebar:
Remember the prayer of Jebez - he petitioned
the Lord to increase his territory. Therefore,
I encourage everyone listening or watching
to take note that we all know our own personal
proclivities and capacities. God made each
and every one of us differently and this
diversity makes the body of the church WHOLE.)
PROVERBS
MAN | Proverbs 31: 1-9
The
first few verses, 1-9, are often overlooked
and serve as a warning and exhortation for
the king. They warn against insidious thoughts,
traits, and behavior and remind men of their
job description as a leader: to look after
the kingdom, the household, and the poor,
remember their misery, and judge righteously.
This serves as a heart check for all the
men studying this chapter with us.
Are
you listening to the warnings of Lady Wisdom
and seeking to live with her instructions,
which is God's teaching? Are you a Proverbs
man? A man that fears the Lord, who is industrious,
virtuous and has noble character?
RARITY
| Proverbs 31:10
Verse
10 asks, "Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies."
This is not just a description of a woman
but also of wisdom itself.
Proverbs
3:15 describes wisdom similarly, noting
it “is more precious than rubies; nothing
you desire can compare with her.”
Proverbs
8:35 further highlights the value of wisdom:
“For those who find me find life and receive
favor from the Lord.” This verse underlines
the rarity and immense value of both a noble
woman and wisdom.
Are
you seeking to cultivate a life of wisdom
in action in your life?
OUTLOOK
& OUTPUT | Proverbs 31:28
As
a new bride and mother, I felt inadequate
and burdened, and I could never do everything
described in Proverbs 31.
However,
over time, I realized this chapter is an
inspiration or guidepost, not a checklist.
It shows us the virtues to strive for and
the grace we should have for ourselves.
Are
you focusing on becoming a woman of noble
character, or do feelings of inadequacy
hinder your outlook and output?
(Sidebar:
Remember this chapter guides us in personifying
wisdom in our daily lives, regardless of
our season in life. Allow these scriptures
to be building blocks to strengthen your
reslove to sanctification and not hinder
your mindset.)
DOMESTIC
GODDESS | Proverbs 31:10-28
This
poem illustrates wisdom in action, often
misinterpreted by society to create the
persona of a "domestic goddess."
This idealized homemaker is expected to
keep an immaculate and perfectly organized
home, always ready for guests and company.
However,
this image does not accurately refiect the
reality of most Israelite women at the time,
typically peasants, servants, and self-su£icient
farmers; how do you think they interpreted
this poem? Their daily work was practical,
providing for their household's needs and
not seeking profit.
Exploring
Proverbs as a whole helps us see these verses
as personifications of wisdom, o£ering
grace for those of us who struggle with
homemaking or for those who have become
slaves to work; idolizing the work over
honoring God (and when we get to the NT,
we will see this addressed with Mary and
Martha, as well as, when we discuss rest
and the Sabbath).
Personally,
I've found that focusing on God's word through
this very study with Kanoe has me fearing
the Lord! It has given me discipline and
a work ethic I never thought possible.
I
no longer view household chores as a burden
but as a way to be dutiful in my home, which
supports this ministry - though I will probably
never have a home worthy of a Better Homes
and Garden Magazine - that's okay. The work
of our hands should praise Him, not ourselves
or our households. So, heart check.
Are
you striving to create a "domestic
goddess" persona, or are you trying
to personify wisdom in your life, marriage,
and community?
FUNCTIONAL
OVER FASHIONABLE | Proverbs 31:30
I’m
here today with my hair in a simple ponytail,
no makeup, my big ole’ glasses, and wearing
my favorite "REDEEMED" shirt to
remind me that I have been bought and redeemed!
To
illustrate, I can still show up, ready to
work, with a heart on fire for the LORD
and not for my own personal vain pursuits
of charm or beauty. It says, "Charm
is deceitful, and beauty is vain,” meaning
our looks and charm don’t last forever.
It’s a reminder that God cares about our
hearts more than our appearance.
I
used to feel like I needed to look perfect—in
makeup, clothes, education, homemaking,
how my kids dress, and so on—to honor God,
but that's not true.
What
matters is making God our number one priority.
It’s about fearing the Lord and living a
life that refiects His wisdom and love.
So, heart check.
Are
you trying to be praised for your looks
and achievements, or are you focusing on
how you fear the Lord and care for others?
Remember, God wants our hearts above all
else because everything else is fleeting.
Let's strive to personify wisdom in our
lives, mot just look good on the outside.
Deep
Dive
How
does understanding that God's word is fiawless
change how you approach reading the Bible?
How
can you simplify your life to focus more
on godliness and less on material desires?
What
steps can you take to live according to
the wisdom of Proverbs? How can you incorporate
the traits of the Proverbs 31 woman into
your daily life?
a. Seek
Humility:
b. Embrace
Righteous Living:
c. Value
Contentment:
d. Purse
Godly Wisdom:
e. Demonstrate
Integrity:
f. Cultivate
Resourcefulness:
g. Practice
Diligence:
h. Show
Generosity:
i. Develop
Wisdom:
j. Exercise
Stewardship:
k. Fear
the Lord:
How
can we shift our focus from outward appearances
to inner spiritual maturity?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you, for this wonderful time
of instruction from Your Word.
Your
Word is sufficient, and may we never add
to it or take away from it. It is enough
for us, and it will always be enough.
Help
us seek it diligently and continually come
to it so that Your will may be revealed
in our lives. May it continue to be a light
upon our path, with the wisdom of Lady Wisdom
in our hearts, providing us with the insight
and knowledge we need to make the right
choices and live righteously, no matter
our season in life.
Whether
we are men or women, wives, husbands, grandmothers,
single, divorced, or widowed, wisdom can
be found in Your Word. Show us how to apply
this wisdom in our lives today.
Help
us to avoid idleness, fulfill our duties,
and resist vain pursuits. May we live lives
that honor You and bring glory and praise
to Your name, rather than seeking praise
for ourselves or the work of our hands.
Remove
any tendencies to become enslaved by things
that will fade. Let us not place our wants
above Your will. Whatever it is that tries
to pull us away from You—be it work, career,
social media, family, household tasks, dreams,
visions, wealth, status, or reputation—help
us to overcome these strongholds. May the
greed of our hearts not lead us into idolatry
and sin against Your name.
May
Your Holy Spirit dwell within us, giving
us guidance, strength, and discipline. Increase
our ability to live each day for You. Let
the work of our hands be fruitful and help
us avoid idleness, vengeance, or contempt.
Heavenly
Father, may You be honored and glorified
above all things. Help us to live lives
that refiect the instructions of the Book
of Proverbs, embodying the wisdom You
King
Solomon has died, and 1 Kings 12 records
all that Solomon worked for begins to fall
apart. The people of Israel plead with Rehoboam
to unload their taxation burden, and forced
labor. He does not follow wise counsel,
and instead turns to his friends' counsel.
They counseled him to make the people's
burden even greater and rule as a dictator,
and marks the beginning of Israel being
separated into two kingdoms, with Rehoboam
the king of Judah, and Jeroboam the king
of Israel.
1
Kings 13 brings in a prophecy
from an unnamed man of God, that will ultimately
be fulfilled some 300 years later because
of Jeroboam's idolatry. God sends an immediate
sign to Jeroboam of God's promise to carry
out this judgement, and rebukes him for
his unrepentant heart. This same messenger
was given specific instructions from the
Lord while delivering the message to Jeroboam.
He obeys the Lord, until he meets with another
who claims to be a prophet from Bethel.
For his disobedience, The Lord sends a special
judgment on him, and all who passed by him
on the road saw this was judgment from the
Lord. Jeroboam again does not heed God's
word after this obvious sign, and continues
in sin making himself a priest as well.
In
1 Kings 14,
Jeroboam and Rehoboam receive judgment for
their rebellion and idolatry against God.
Jeroboam's judgment is foretold while seeking
answers for his son's illness, and Rehoboam
receives judgement as Jerusalem is overrun
by Egypt. All its treasures are carried
o£, and his kingdom continues to decline.
In the end, both of these kings did not
repent or seek God's forgiveness for their
wickedness and died in their rebellion.bvious
sign, and continues in sin making himself
a priest as well.
In
1 Kings 14,
Jeroboam and Rehoboam receive judgment for
their rebellion and idolatry against God.
Jeroboam's judgment is foretold while seeking
answers for his son's illness, and Rehoboam
receives judgement as Jerusalem is overrun
by Egypt. All its treasures are carried
o£, and his kingdom continues to decline.
In the end, both of these kings did not
repent or seek God's forgiveness for their
wickedness and died in their rebellion.
ADVICE
SHOPPING | 1 Kings 12:6-8
Sadly,
Rehoboam is given good advice from these
wise counselors, but because he doesn’t
get the answer he’s looking for, he goes
advice shopping elsewhere.
If
you keep asking around, you will eventually
get the answer you want and hear what you
want to hear. But this doesn’t make it wise,
because advice is only beneficial if it
lives up to the standards of the Word.
Otherwise,
it’s just plain bad counsel. Heart Check.
How
well do you receive counsel that isn't pleasant
to hear? Do you go advice shopping, seeking
out a favorite answer?
GENUINE
FOLLOWING | 1 Kings 12:25-29
What’s
so sad here is that Jeroboam is so insecure
and worried about people not following him,
that he makes a cheap replica of worship.
Instead of leading the people to worship
the one and only true God, he dangles a
golden carrot of convenience and excitement
in front of them so that they won’t cross
the border each year and go back to worshipping
the right way.
This
happens today too, where scripture is twisted
to fit our own self-counseled agenda. Some
people will pick and choose which scripture
is applicable to them and skip the rest.
Sadly, the world has become so obsessed
with this “infiuencer” status, where view
counts and follower counts are becoming
an idol, and people are compromising their
values to make viral content just so they
can get a counterfeit following.
Then
you have some on the other side, using “unfollowing”
as if it is some sort of threat or weapon.
The only follow we need to be worried about
is the following after Jesus.
Heart
Check.
What
following are you going after? Are you looking
for ways to get others to genuinely follow
Christ? Or are you compromising to get other
to follow you?
HELP
AFTER WRONGDOING | 1 Kings 13:6
The
man of God could’ve easily said no to his
plea and been justified in it. But he displayed
the love of God when he chose to offer restoration
and healing instead of bearing a grudge
against Jeroboam for wanting to take him
down.
The
Lord checks my heart on this every day when
I have hateful comments or emails.
My
fieshy little fingers want to go to town
with a petty response, but Holy Spirit says,
“What GOOD is that going to do? How will
that HELP their faith? Are you truly seeking
to LEAD others to me? Are you words doing
that?”
Then
I delete my words and either petty delete
when the comment is so o£ base, or
I respond in a way that helps the person
rather than wounding them. Heart Check.
If
someone asks you for help after they wronged
you, how do you react? Do you help them?
Or let them suffer for a little while?
TRUST
| 1 Kings 13:11-19
This
required next level discernment and obedience,
because this old prophet came in the name
of the Lord, made him think “we’re the same,”
and he claimed to have divine revelation
from God. Sadly, the man of God failed,
because his defenses likely came down and
he trusted him because of the way he presented
himself.
But
that’s the enemy—he will parade around like
an angel of light, even using the name of
Jesus to his advantage. This is why we have
so much confusion by way of false teaching.
Because as Christians, we have the heart
of a sheep that desires to follow after
Jesus, and we seek His voice anywhere and
everywhere, especially in the beginning.
But when you don’t yet know His voice well
(through His Word), you can easily be led
astray by others who come in His name with
false teaching. It’s done every so subtly.
In
fact, this is how many cults are formed—they
appeal to the emotions and desires of a
person, shower them with gifts, and show
good intentions, until they have you hooked
and that’s when the oppression starts.
Even
if you’re fooled, disobedience will still
have consequences. So we need to know the
True Shepherd’s voice and be discerning
in who we trust. This doesn’t mean that
we become skeptical of every person.
But
observe, pray, and ask Holy Spirit to give
you discernment before you eat from their
table. It’s the same way a pilot goes through
a checklist before they take off.
Everything
needs to be thoroughly checked, regardless
of their feelings, and they need to make
sure there are no warning lights going o£
before they depart. Heart Check
How's
your discernment? Do you have a checklist?
How do you know when you can trust others?
MAINTAINING
OBEDIENCE | 1 Kings 13
In
the end, this chapter was all about knowing
the voice of God and obeying it. But there’s
always a confiicting voice that will tell
you otherwise.
Sometimes
there’s even the temptation of satisfying
basic needs and desires (in this case it
was food and drink), but if the Lord said,
“No,” your needs and desires do not supersede
that. Heart Check.
Are
you able to maintain genuine faith and obedience,
even when you feel like you need it or it
isn't the popular choice?
Deep
Dive
Compare
the leadership styles of Solomon, Rehoboam,
and Jeroboam. How did they start, how did
they reign, and how did they finish? How
did their reign a£ect the nation as
a whole?
How
can we maintain our faith if our spiritual
leaders fall into sin?
Where
do you see true and false prophecy and how
might it be defined?
How
might one discern God’s voice?
What
lessons can we learn about the personal
prophecy against Jeroboam? How does this
refiect personal accountability in our lives?
What
kinds of impacts are seen of poor actions
on the succeeding generations?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your divine
commandments and sovereignty.
While
it may seem harsh to some, we know your
judgments are right and true. You have spoken
and told us how to live, and the consequences
of turning away from that will not be pleasurable.
So I pray that we never compromise a lifetime
of sadness for a moment of pleasure or relief.
Help us to maintain a steadfast faith as
we will face confiicting voices and temptations,
from both people around us and leadership.
So I pray that even when it isn’t the popular
opinion or thing to do, that you will strengthen
our defenses, so that we can stand firm
and not waver.
We
may not have prophetic words spoken directly
to us from men and women of God, but you
have given us everything we need right here
in your Word. Every question will be answered
by seeking it out, either through our own
studying or by prayer. You said to knock
and that you would answer. So here we are,
knocking down your door, with prayers and
pleas, and seeking answers, comfort, healing,
and your supernatural touch.
We
don’t need to build up any sort of counterfeit
or copycat version of worship. You desire
obedience over sacrifice, and that is what
pleases your heart the most. Please continue
to guide us, Holy Spirit, and allow us to
hear you clearly and only follow you. We
know the devil is going to prey on our weaknesses
and on our desire to be liked and accepted,
but the only acceptance we need is yours.
And when we are secure in our identity in
Christ, we won’t need the acceptance of
the world. We won’t need to conform. So
please firm up our security in knowing who
we are and more importantly, whose we are.
I
pray that you will strengthen our discernment,
also, to know when we are being deceived.
We know the enemy isn’t going to parade
around in a red cape or with a pitchfork
and horns. He’s going to make himself appear
as someone or something relatable so that
we will let down our defenses.
But
your sheep know your voice, and we should
be able to detect counterfeit ones. It may
be ever so subtle, but may we always heed
your warning lights and red fiags.
Help
us to always remain dependent upon you in
all circumstances. When we are surrendered
to you, we won’t surrender or cower to the
enemy, for we cannot serve two masters.
When
we seek out counsel, I pray that we will
listen to that which is wise, even when
it isn’t the most convenient or desirable
word. I pray that we won’t go looking for
what we want to hear, but instead may we
want to hear what you desire. Your will
always prevails, so even if we try to skirt
your purpose, you will still bring it about,
whether we come with you or not.
But
we want to come with you—we want to be used
for your glory. So here we are, your servants,
saying, “Use me, Lord.” As the song goes,
“If you can use anything, Lord, you can
use me.
Take
my hands, Lord, and my feet. Touch my heart,
Lord and speak through me. If you can use
anything, Lord, you can use me.”
In
2 Chronicles, it is connected with 1 Kings
12, as they both recall how the land of
Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms.
Rehoboam is crowned king after his father
Solomon but does not heed wise counsel or
the pleading of the people and decides to
reign over Israel with an iron fist. Jeroboam
leads the people wishing to escape the rule
of Rehoboam in rebellion, and they separate
into a kingdom consisting of only two tribes,
Judah and Benjamin. Rehoboam fiees from
Jerusalem after his chief tax collector
is murdered. Throughout the rest of the
books of the Kings and Chronicles, there
is tremendous strife throughout the lands
of Judah and Israel.
2
Chronicles 11 records the rebellion and
civil war in the previous chapter, as Rehoboam
plans to force his reign. God raises a man
named Shemaiah to prophesy not to fight
their brethren because God has allowed this
to happen. Instead, he turns his attention
to building defense cities throughout Judah
to ensure that all Judah and Benjamin are
protected.
Godly
priests and Levites took this opportunity
to migrate down to the now southern kingdom,
leaving all possessions and common lands
behind. While the kingdom of Judah sacrificed
to the Lord, Jeroboam appointed his own
priests and made his own idols of pagan
gods. Rehoboam appoints a successor from
his most favored wife and disperses his
sons throughout his kingdom for the sake
of protecting the throne.
In
2 Chronicles 12, Rehoboam's leadership takes
a turn for the worse as he leads his people
into apostasy against the Lord. As a result
of God's judgment, Egypt is allowed to attack
and succeed, capturing the fortified cities.
In a moment of realization, Rehoboam and
the people of Judah plead for forgiveness
and repentance to the Lord. The Lord, in
His mercy, does not allow Egypt to completely
overtake them, but places them under the
servitude of Egypt. The Egyptians seize
the treasures in the Temple and the king's
palace. Despite enduring God's judgment,
Rehoboam reverts to his evil ways when peace
and safety return to his kingdom, highlighting
the consequences of his actions.
DEMANDING
LOVE | 2 Chronicles 11:1
Now
that Rehoboam’s foolishness has o£icially
divided the kingdom, he is going to try
to “win it back” by force.
But
as we have said, true unity is never won
by force. True love is not forced. This
is why Holy Spirit will never force Himself
upon us. He would rather have a willing
heart that freely chooses to love Him.
Anything
else would be holding us captive, and He
came to set the captive free. We are the
same way—we can’t make someone love us.
We can cultivate love by showing it, but
if someone chooses not to love us, there
is no amount of desperate begging or forcing
that will change their unwilling heart.
We
would be better off letting go of the desire
to control and leave it in the hands of
God while working on ourselves. Heart Check.
Are
you trying to demand love from someone?
Or are you showing that kind of love that
cultivates a reciprocal response?
DIVINE
DIVISION | 2 Chronicles 11:4
How
can this be? Why would God divide the nation?
On
one hand, this is divine judgment for their
rebellion against Him. But on the other
hand, this may be His way of at least preserving
a holy remnant and His covenant with David.
Division
of any sort doesn’t typically feel good.
When seasons come to an end, there’s a bit
of heartbreak.
My
daughter just quit gymnastics, and I was
devastated but also excited. Because I see
that the ending of one season ushers in
the beginning of a new one.
Sometimes
we may not understand why something has
to come to an end, but if you trust the
Lord and hold on to His promises, you will
see in the end that it was for a greater
purpose that you couldn’t see at the time.
Heart Check.
Are
you holding on to something that the Lord
may be trying to put an end to? Can you
see the end as a means to a new beginning?
POLISHED
BRASS | 2 Chronicles 12:9-14
Rehoboam
knew how to play the game.
Even
though he didn’t have gold shields anymore,
he polished up some brass and made copycat
versions. He would repent when things got
bad but would fall away again once he felt
secure. He didn’t set his heart to seek
the Lord, meaning he didn’t have discipline
and his heart wasn’t fixed.
Instead,
he was like that fair-weathered friend who
comes around when they need something, but
once they don’t need you anymore, they cast
you away.
That’s
what Jesus would eventually call lukewarm,
meaning superficial faith, and those are
the kinds of people that He will spit out
in the end.
It’s
the ones who will polish their outer appearance
but remain rebellious or wicked on the inside.
But
the ones who are fixed, the ones who are
truly saved, will receive an eternal reward.
Heart Check.
Is
your heart set on seeking the Lord? Or are
you polished brass?
Deep
Dive
Can
the law still be forsaken by Christians
today? What would that look like?
How
do we still see true justice on display
today? Is there still correction that is
equivalent to the o£ense?
Are
there still prophetic voices like Shemaiah?
How are they manifested in our society?
What
are the results of humility and repentance
as seen in these chapters? How important
is this today? Is there anything we can
do to cultivate national repentance?
God
always saved a holy remnant. Who would that
be today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the mercy and forgiveness
that awaits us when we come in humility
and repentance.
It
was available thousands of years ago, and
it remains today. I pray that we don’t wait
until it’s too late to recognize our own
transgressions and to heed the warnings
that you may be giving to us, whether it
is personal, corporate, or even national.
Help us to be cultivators of humility. We
know that it is your kindness and mercy
that leads to repentance, so I pray that
we get a good understanding of this so that
we don’t try to win the world over by force
or condemnation. There’s no amount of yelling
at or spewing hateful judgments that will
change the hearts and minds of the sinner,
at least not by way of our mouths. So may
we be a people who show your love and mercy,
even when others falter or fail us.
But
more than anything, let us be the example
of ones who acknowledge where we’ve gone
wrong and commit to changing. Our change
will be the greatest testimony for others
to see the power of grace. Thank you for
always seeing the good in us and seeking
to save the holy remnant. This is what you
desire for the church, so I pray that we
will set our hearts to seeking your face
always, so that we will not waver when the
world begins to quake. We don’t want to
fall weak to any temptations or new fads.
Give us discernment to know when we may
be listening to the wrong voices, especially
when it comes to voices that are infiuential.
May your Word be etched permanently on our
hearts so that they become a shield to defend
us when we are weak.
We
know that when we trust in you, we will
come out on top. Your righteousness will
prevail, even if we can’t see it today.
So we put our trust in our unshakeable refuge,
and as we do, our faith will remain steadfast,
even in the face and wake of challenges.
Keep us strong in our values and in our
identity in Christ Jesus. When that is solid,
no weapon formed against us will prosper.
Sometimes
we will go through seasons of taking away,
and as hard as it is to let go, I pray that
we will also trust you in this. I pray that
we will behold and know that you are doing
a new thing when this happens. Help us to
see the end as the beginning of something
even greater. If we are desperately gripping
on to it, trying to hold on, pry our fingers
away so that we can lay it down at the altar
and leave it in your hands. We will never
get anywhere good trying to control things
in our own power, nor can we force unity
or love. Fill us afresh with your love and
comfort, especially where we may be feeling
a sense of loss. Thank you for always filling
in the gaps, Jesus.
1
Kings 15 introduces us to two kings who
reigned over Judah and two over Israel:
Abijam, Asa, Nadab, and Baasha.
Abijam
rules Judah wickedly and cares nothing for
the Lord; the Lord does not bless him, and
he reigns only three years.
Asa
obeys the Lord and removes idolatry from
the land but does not seek the Lord's protection
when Israel comes up against him. The Lord,
however, blessed Asa with a forty-one-year
reign. Nadab, the king of Israel, was wicked.
He reigned for a total of two years until
Baasha conspired against him and had him
killed, along with any other challengers
to his throne.
Baasha
continues to be an evil ruler and wicked
in the Lord's sight. His reign is marked
with war, as is Asa's reign. Despite his
wickedness, the Lord allows Baasha to reign
for twenty-four years.
2
Chronicles 13 describes the war between
King Jeroboam of Israel and King Abijah
of Judah. The Lord did not bless Abijah's
reign, and he was only allowed to reign
for three years on the throne for his disobedience.
Abijah
appeals to Jeroboam on the battlefield as
the only rightful heir to the throne of
David and states that he and all others
were in rebellion against God. This angers
Jeroboam, and he splits his army to overwhelm
Judah from the front and rear. Abijah and
the people cry to God to save them in that
moment. The Lord hears the cries of Judah
and delivers Jeroboam and his army into
their hands.
2
Chronicles 14 records the righteous reign
of King Asa of Judah.
There
was peace in the land for ten years when
he tore down pagan altars, high places,
sacred pillars, and wooden images. He leads
the people in seeking the Lord and that
His laws and commandments are observed.
Asa strengthens Judah's defenses, and the
Lord gives them victory over the Ethiopians.
2
Chronicles 15 introduces Azariah, the prophet,
as he implores King Asa of Judah to remain
loyal and obedient to the Lord throughout
his days.
He
is reminded of the lack of peace in the
land of Israel because they have disobeyed
the Lord and turned to pagan gods.
He
removes all idols from his land and restores
the altar of the Lord before the Lord's
vestibule. The people in his land are drawn
to him when they see the Lord is with him.
All of Judah renews a covenant of loyalty
to the Lord, and Asa's grandmother is stripped
of her title for her part in building an
idol in the land.
In
2 Chronicles 16, it is recorded that King
Asa did not remain obedient to the Lord.
Baasha,
king of Israel, comes to war with Judah.
Asa, in his fear, does not ask the Lord
for help and instead turns to the king of
Syria for his protection.
God
judges him and warns that there will now
be wars throughout the rest of his reign.
IMPACTING
GENERATIONS | 1 Kings 15:3
While
it seems like a formality to see David’s
name appear time and time again, the implication
is that his life had a tremendous impact
on the generations after him. My sisters
and I always say that one of the biggest
reasons we are Christian today is because
of our grandmothers who had such a strong
faith and likely prayed for us in the quiet
of the night. We, too, will impact the generations
after us, even if we aren’t here to see
it. Heart Check.
What
impact will your life have on those who
come after you?
SURROUNDED
| 2 Chronicles 13:13-16
This
is a wonderful reminder that we can be surrounded
on every side here on this earth, but there
is nothing that can stand between us and
God above us. He has already defeated the
grave, and He has given us that same authority
to trample on snakes and scorpions and the
power of the enemy, and therefore nothing
shall hurt us indefinitely (Luke 10:19).
This
is why Paul said that we are afflicted in
every way, but not crushed; perplexed but
not despaired; persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor.
4:8-9).
Just as Abijah declared here, we have a
greater hope to cling to, and the moment
we recognize that we can’t help ourselves,
God comes to the rescue.
One
of the enemy’s favorite tactics is to attack
from behind—he wants us to look backwards
into our past.
But
we are not shackled to our past, so don’t
give him your foot to put a cuff on. Forget
what is behind and press on toward is ahead,
Paul said (Phil. 3:13). Stay present with
the Lord, and walk in step with Him day
by day, moment by moment, and know that
there is no weapon that forms against you
that can prosper. Heart Check.
Wnat
surrounds you? Is it fear of the future?
Worries og today? Condemnation from your
past? Do you need to look up and get help
from the only one who can rescue?
GOOD
AND RIGHT | 2 Chronicles 14:2
We
are about to see all the good that Asa did,
but take note of the chronicler’s usage
of the term “good and right.”
You
see, we can do all sorts of good, but if
it isn’t done with the right heart or intention,
it may not be honorable. The Pharisees did
all kinds of good-- they prayed, they taught,
and they were generous.
But
when they prayed, they did it so others
could hear them and think highly of their
spirituality. When they gave, they did so
for the approval of man and for the applause.
When they taught, they would also condemn
out of a heart of self-righteousness. They
were doing good, but not right. Heart Check.
Is
the good you're doing also right?
LONG-RANGE
BATTLES | 2 Chronicles 14:8
Another
reason Asa was victorious, is because he
was well equipped for all types of battles.
He had shields and spears for close-range
fighting, and he had bows and arrows for
long-range battles. What does that look
like spiritually?
Close-range
battles are the more obvious sins, temptations,
and trials that right in front of our face.
But sometimes we forget to prepare for the
long-range battles. The sin that isn’t so
obvious—thinks like overworking, not taking
rest, being discontent, worrying, or knowing
you’re supposed to do something but you
don’t.
These
are things that may not have an immediate
consequence, so we tend to delay or overlook
them. Heart Check.
What
long-range battles might you better prepare
for?
PRAY
AND WAIT | 2 Chronicles 14:11
This
mighty prayer is only one verse long. Asa
basically said, “God, you’re awesome, so
please be awesome.”
James
5:16 says that the prayer of the righteous
are powerful and effective. Asa was a righteous
man, so his prayer was effective. But one
other thing he said in there was “we rely
on you.”
This
means he prayed and waited instead of praying
and worrying. We tend to cry out to the
Lord but walk away still full of angst and
worry. True and righteous prayer is casting
our cares upon the Lord. That means we are
getting rid of it. Throwing it on the altar.
Placing
at His feet. If we pray but walk away with
the same stuff we came in with, it’s as
if we are saying, “Lord help us, but I don’t
trust you to deal with it, so I’m just gonna
hang on to it.” Heart Check.
Are
you praying and waiting (relying upon on
the Lord) Or you taking your prayers back
by walking away with the worry?
SPOILS
OF THE BATTLE | 2 Chronicles 14:9-15
Even
though they were outnumbered 2:1, Asa knew
that the power of God was not limited to
their weakness and the enemy’s physical
strength. And because he trusted in the
Lord’s deliverance, not only did they walk
away with the victory, but God gave them
spoils of war too! This is what you would
call “more than conquerors,” which is what
we are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:37). When
we rely on the Lord in our own battles,
we don’t just come out on top, we will walk
away with renewed strength and courage,
better character, and a renewed faith that
will continue to bear fruit for years to
come. So if you are in the thick of a battle,
take heart, for you are about to be blessed
if you remain faithful in the One who can
and will deliver you. But there’s an e£ort
that has to be made post-war to carry away
the plunder—it's not a handout. Because
you can also walk away from a battle unchanged
or changed for the worst. Heart Check.
Are
you able to see the spoils of the victory
in Jesus? Are you carrying it away or leaving
it on the battlefield? Are you coming out
better than when you went in?
FINISHING
YOUR STORY | 2 Chronicles 16:11
Asa
and others’ stories are written in this
book, from the very start of their lives
to the end. And we generally take note of
how these kings will start o£ a certain
way and end another. In this case, Asa started
well but didn’t finish the same. He became
more reliant upon people than the Lord in
the end and died because of it. My prayer
is that my story which is recorded in the
Book of the King of Kings finishes with
a better ending than the way it began. Heart
Check.
What
does your story look like? If it were to
end today, would the ending be better than
the beginning?
Deep
Dive
How
did the kings of Judah and Israel differ
in their leadership styles? What were the
results? How does this relate to our lives
spiritually?
What
lessons can be learned from each of these
leaders?
Do
you see any parallels to today’s political
climate?
What
role does prayer play in battles and wars
today?
Does
God’s sovereignty over leadership or politics
still exist?
Heavenly
Father, We know that you are just as sovereign
today as you back then.
You
are the same God who fought for Judah, the
same Lion of Judah that roars within each
one of us. While we may not be a people
who are vying for the title of King, we
do have a crown that we wear as children
of the Most High. We carry just as great
of a responsibility as each of these kings
did to be wholly true to you our Lord, just
the way that David was. You’re not asking
for perfection, but simply devotion. So
I pray that we will never fail to seek you
every single day for the rest of our time
on this earth, and may our lives leave an
imprint of your glory that will impact the
generations after us. I pray that when people
speak of us after we’re gone, that every
conversation will have you in it. May it
be that obvious that you are our everything
and the reason we even exist. But while
we are still here, let us be effective ministers
and teachers of your Word, activators of
your promise, and stewards of your grace.
We
know that when we seek and obey, our lives
will have peace and prosperity. This doesn’t
mean it is a life without problems or that
we live in luxury. It means that we have
true joy and contentment in our spirits
despite what is going on around us. We can
be broke in our bank accounts but rich in
spirit.
I
pray that we will be the Asas who do what
is good and right in your eyes, putting
away anything that defiles your Holy Name,
and removing anything that will cause us
to stumble from our lives, even if that
means losing family or friends. You are
greater, and that is a small sacrifice to
make for an eternity of hope. May we never
compromise or lead others into sin, for
that is one of the worst things we could
do while on this earth.
I
pray that we will always put our trust and
hope in you. Thank you that we can call
upon you at any time, but especially in
the times when we are surrounded on every
side. I pray that we never fail to look
up, for this, at times, is the only direction
that will give us respite from the attack.
And when we do cry out, hear our prayers,
as we lay them down at the altar and cast
every fear, anxiety and worry at your feet.
Help us to let it go and leave it there,
so that we do not carry our prayers back
with us. We put our hope in you, Lord Jesus,
to carry us when we are weak.
Thank
you for the victory that we already have
in you, even when we are in the thick of
the battle. For those coming out of one,
may we use the time of peace and rest as
preparation for the next one.
Help
us the sharpen our swords and prepare our
shields and bows for the short- and long-range
fights. Give us the eyes to see what those
look like so that we can make sure we are
ready.
And
when we emerge victorious, I pray that we
don’t wash our hands of it and walk away.
You desire to give us exceedingly and abundantly
more than we could ever ask for or imagine—there
are spoils of war to be taken.
But
they aren’t handed out freely—they are given
when we partner with you. So we take your
hand today and say, “We are ready. Lead
us. Guide us. And may we move with you always.”
For then the ending of our story will be
better than the beginning.
1Kings
16 covers the five kings of Israel, their
succession, and how their reign was seen
as evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Elah,
the son of Baasha, continues to live in
wickedness like his father and leads the
people in rebellion against God. The Lord
judges him when Zimri assassinates him and
kills o£ his dynasty.
Zimri
assumes the throne for himself but reigns
for seven days. He becomes greatly distressed
when his city is besieged and burns down
his house with himself inside. The people
are divided in loyalties between who should
be the next king, but Omri is the next crowned.
Omri is more wicked than his ancestors,
and the Lord cuts his reign short after
six years.
His
son Ahab assumes the throne afterward and
takes a pagan wife for himself. His reign
is also marked by immense wickedness and
idolatry and will fulfill a prophecy spoken
by Joshua, the son of Nun.
2Chronicles
17 Jehoshaphat pleases the Lord as a righteous
ruler, and his kingdom and wealth fiourish.
Spiritual
reliance and worship towards Yahweh are
also established and observed throughout
Israel's public and private life. The surrounding
nations notice that Israel's God has blessed
them in all ways and that they live in fear
of their God.
LESSONS
LEARNED | 1 Kings 16:1-4
With
God having previously destroyed the house
of Jeroboam, particularly at the hands of
Baasha, one would think that Baasha would’ve
learned from this. Yet wickedness begat
wickedness, and Baasha is now walking in
the same mistakes. We see this all the time
in families, as children carry out the same
actions of their parents for generations.
Some call this a generational curse. I simply
look at it as infiuence.
But
we all have an opportunity to either learn
from both our own and others’ past mistakes
and experiences. Heart Check.
How
much of an influence do past mistakes have
on you? In what way? What lessons will others
learn from your life?
SPIT
OUT THE BONES | 2 Chronicles 17:1-6
Jehoshaphat
is a prime example of someone who learned
from the past. It says that he “walked in
the earlier ways of his father David,” meaning
he lived righteously and in the way that
David did before his grievous sins with
Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite. He followed
the example of the good and likely recognized
the bad. In other words, he chewed the meat
and spit out the bones. I love that because
we have the opportunity to learn from others
but will so often cut them o£ because
of one thing they said or did that was “wrong.”
This
happens among the church—there are people
who make a living o£ finding the wrong
in what other Christian leaders have said.
I had someone who threatened to unfollow
me because I was distracted by the hair
that was going into my mouth one day. But
if we live our lives expecting perfection
out of people instead of taking the good
and leaving the bad, we will be in a place
of constant criticism and we’ll never learn.
Heart Check.
Are
you able to chew meat and spit ou the bones?
Can you learn from the good in others while
having grace on their mistakes?
Deep
Dive
Looking
at each of the kings, how would you describe
their character, and how did it a£ect
their leadership style and lives in the
end?
How
is God’s character on display in these chapters?
What
are the major themes that run throughout
the narratives of the kings?
What
two fulfillments of prophecy are seen and
what does this say about God’s sovereignty?
How
can we combat generational sin?
How
can we avoid following ungodly or sinful
leadership?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for this reminder to
continually seek your wisdom and guidance.
We
see how moral failures and widespread destruction
because of sin can continue throughout the
generations if left unchecked. So I pray
that it ends with us. May we put a stop
to anything destructive that has manifested
itself in our own families. We will not
be cultivators of continued disobedience.
Instead, as we continue to seek righteousness
and understand the true meaning of living
a holy life, one that is set apart and not
perfect, our hearts’ desire will be to learn
from both the good and the mistakes of those
who went before us. But for the ones who
come after, I pray that we will be positive
role models in their lives. May we leave
a legacy of virtue and integrity.
We
pray for our children, whether biological,
adopted, or even spiritual children who
we don’t even know. What a precious gift
they are, and we seek your blessing and
protection upon them. Protect their innocence
and their minds. Keep them healthy both
physically and spiritually. Help us to do
what we can to give them the life that you
desire for them—one that is full of hope
and a future. May they know how loved they
are by you and by us. Guide them in every
step they take and may their steps be steady
as they walk. May we be the instruments
that you use to train them up in the way
they should go so that when they grow older,
they will not depart from it. When they
have pressure or stress, may you be the
solid rock on which they stand. Guide their
decisions, and when they fall or fail, lift
them back up and restore them. I pray that
they will choose their friends wisely. Help
them to hear your voice, and may they be
an example to others in their speech, their
faith, their conduct, and in their purity.
I pray that you will be their God and may
they seek after you all the days of their
lives.
Thank
you for the gift of our own parents, for
without them, we wouldn’t have life. So
at the very least, we honor them for that.
But I pray that our conduct will refiect
you, our Heavenly Father. May others know
that it is you who raised us up ultimately.
Even if it has been a recent rearing, we
are so grateful to be your child and under
your care. I pray that we will be like Jehoshapat,
who follows after you with our whole heart.
May we seek to live righteously in every
area of our lives and lead others to do
the same. If there are any high places in
our lives that need to be removed—that is,
anything that we are putting before you
in importance—show us where and how to do
that. There may be relationships that go
down with that, but we know that you will
restore anything that is worth rebuilding,
so we will trust you in that. May we fortify
our walls of defense where necessary. You
know our weaknesses, and you will show yourself
strong in them. But we know we have a role
to play in the preparation of every battle,
and when we prepare well, we will finish
well. Let it be so, in Jesus name.
In
1 Kings 17, we are introduced to the prophet
Elijah who prophesied during King Ahab’s
reign of the northern kingdom of Israel.He
predicts a drought as punishment for Israel’s
idolatry under Ahab and Jezebel. God instructs
Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith, where
ravens bring him food.
Later,
Elijah is sent to a widow who, despite her
own dire situation, provides for him. God
miraculously keeps her supply of fiour and
oil from running out. When the widow’s son
dies, Elijah prays over him, and God revives
the boy.
Elijah
meets Obadiah, a faithful servant of God
who has been hiding prophets from Jezebel.
Elijah then confronts King Ahab and calls
for a contest on Mount Carmel to prove who
is the true God. In the famous contest on
Mount Carmel, Elijah defeats the prophets
of Baal by calling down fire from heaven,
demonstrating God’s power.
Afterward,
Elijah prays for rain, and God ends the
drought by sending a heavy rainstorm.
Elijah
fiees Jezebel after she threatens his life,
seeking refuge in the wilderness, where
he feels despondent and isolated. God's
provision comes in the form of an angel
who provides food and water for Elijah,
strengthening him for a 40-day journey to
Mount Horeb. At Mount Horeb, God speaks
to Elijah in a gentle whisper, not in powerful
manifestations, instructing him to anoint
new leaders. Elijah later finds Elisha and
calls him to follow, preparing him as his
successor.
First
Fruits | 1 Kings 17:8-16
What
I find most astounding in these two sections
of chapter 17 is the faith and obedience
that Elijah has followed by the Widow. Obedience
often requires deep, blind faith and complete
surrender. The widow of Zarephath trusted
God and gave her last meal to Elijah, resulting
in God’s miraculous provision. Heart Check.
Are
you willing to give your all to God?
PRAYER
LIFE | 1 Kings 17:17-24
The
widow saw miracles of provision through
the fiour and oil sustaining her home during
the drought and famine. She witnessed her
child being brought back from the dead,
yet she quickly shifted and rose against
Elijah, pointing her finger at God. Elijah,
too, questioned God, asking, "Why,
God?" twice. Despite their doubts and
accusations, God still heard their pleas
and petitions.
Elijah’s
fervent prayer life is exemplified when
he prayed over a dead child, demonstrating
the importance of persistent and heartfelt
prayer. Heart Check.
Does
your prayer life need a resurrection?
WORK
DILEMMA | 1 Kings 18:7-16
Are
we not so different from Obadiah? Sometimes,
we hear the Lord in that still small voice—in
our head, heart, Bible study, or church.
God calls us to something, but we come up
with excuses: "I'm not worthy,"
"I'm not adequate," "I'm
not smart enough," "I don't know
enough," "Who am I to do this,
Lord?"
We've
seen it with Moses; we see it with Obadiah.
Obadiah takes it a step further. He justifies
his reluctance by pointing to his past sanctification.
Sanctification
is the holiness he has set apart by honoring
the Lord, fearing Him greatly, and protecting
His people, even while working a compromising
job. Like Obadiah, we might have evil rulers,
presidents, governors, governments, and
societies around us. We still need to earn
money and do our jobs. Obadiah wasn't the
only one in a compromising situation, yet
he feared the Lord and tried to do His will
as much as possible.
However,
scholars have criticized Obadiah for his
position, suggesting he may have chosen
it. Regardless, he is choosing not to obey
the Lord's calling right now. Heart Check.
Are
you excusing the calling the Lord has placed
on your life?
CRIPPLED
FAITH| 1 Kings 18:21
In
1 Kings 18:21, Elijah challenged the people
to stop wavering between two opinions, urging
them to follow the Lord decisively. Heart
Check.
Are
you decisive in your faith or wavering?
SACRIFICE
| 1 Kings 18:20-40
Elijah
brought them down to the brook Kishon and
slaughtered them there. This shows that
we shouldn't play with God—He has mighty
power and showed up in a mighty way to turn
their hearts back to Him. The show was for
one thing: to prove that He is God and lives.
After
this miracle, they dealt with the idolaters
as instructed in Deuteronomy. It says we
are to kill anyone who leads people astray
into apostasy away from God. (We're not
supposed to do that today.) A lot of stories
in the Bible are hard to digest, and this
is one of them. By removing the idolaters,
God was also removing the plague, the disdain,
and the sinful nature of idolatry so that
it wouldn't continue.
Today,
we must kill the Baal worshipers in our
hearts. God wants our hearts fully surrendered
in worship to Him and not anything else.
Maybe it's not the god of weather, but it
could be the love of money or material wealth,
like nice homes, cars, and clothes.
What
Baal worshiping in your heart do you need
to sacrifice?
FEAR
& FAITH | 1 Kings 19:1-4
Afraid
and finally feeling the weight of fear,
Elijah was fearful for his life. He looked
inward and fled. Here, we see a man's faith
being tested through persecution, even though
he had walked in bold obedience and faith
in the Lord.
But
what if our world shifts, and we suddenly
face persecution for our faith? Heart Check.
Is
you faith strong enough to face ridicule
and persecution?
PROVISION
AND PERSEVERANCE | 1 Kings 19:1-8
Elijah
experienced a theophany—an appearance of
God in an angelic form. The Lord showed
loving-kindness and tenderness to His servant.
He did not ridicule, persecute, reprimand,
or rebuke Elijah. Instead, He provided sustenance,
letting Elijah sleep but not allowing him
to wallow in self-pity.
Despite
Elijah's feelings of inadequacy, God told
him to arise for a mighty journey, providing
strength beyond human capabilities for 40
days and 40 nights, similar to Moses' experience
on the same mountain when he received the
Ten Commandments.
Have
you ever been in such a place of depth and
despair that all you wanted to do was sleep,
isolate yourself, and stop doing things
you're passionate about? Those feelings
are real and teach us perseverance. Some
trials are not meant to be faced alone.
Turn to God's Word, arise, and eat. Remember,
Elijah didn't come out of his funk in one
day or even three days—it took 40 days of
traveling without food or water to reach
his next destination, where the Lord revealed
Himself. Heart Check.
Is
it time for you to arise and eat?
FOLLOW
THE LEADER | 1 Kings 19:19-21
Elijah
was an extraordinary figure who performed
miracles, had a strong prayer life, and
fearlessly spoke God’s word.
According
to Tony Merida, we no longer have prophets
like Elijah today because the true and greater
Prophet, Jesus, has come.
This
reminds us that Jesus surpasses even the
remarkable works of Elijah. Elijah boldly
declared a drought for a nation that had
turned away from God and worshipped idols,
directly challenging their faithlessness.
Additionally,
Elijah demonstrated faithfulness to God
both during his public ministry and while
in hiding. He trusted in God's provision,
whether it came through ravens or a widow,
and remained obedient in all circumstances.
Are
you willing to sacrifice it all and follow
after God?
Deep
Dive
Why
might God have sent a famine on the land?
Have
you ever experienced God’s provision in
unexpected ways?
How
do you respond when faced with seemingly
impossible situations, like the widow at
Zarephath?
How
can you rebuild the 'altars' in your life
to restore true worship and devotion to
God?
Have
you ever experienced a time when God spoke
to you in a 'gentle whisper'? How did it
impact your faith and actions?
How
can Elijah's perseverance and deep prayer
life inspire you to strengthen your own
prayer practices?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the unwavering love
and guidance that sustains us daily.
As
we reflect on the extraordinary figure of
Elijah, who fearlessly spoke Your word and
demonstrated a powerful and unwavering prayer
life, we are reminded to stand up for what
is right, even in the face of opposition.
Strengthen
us so that we will be bold in our convictions,
unafraid to confront faithlessness and immorality
in our surroundings. Make our hearts remain
steadfast, rooted in Your truth and righteousness.
God, please affirm that just as Elijah trusted
in Your provision, so will we, relying on
Your promises and faithfulness in every
season of our lives.
Lord,
grant us the courage to speak Your truth
boldly and without fear, no matter the opposition
we face. Empower us to be unwavering in
our faith, steadfast in our commitment to
You, and diligent in our prayer lives. Help
us to trust in Your provision, knowing that
You are our sustainer and provider in both
times of abundance and times of need. Guide
us to remain obedient to Your will, even
when the path is difficult or unclear, trusting
that Your plans for us are good and perfect.
Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may embody
the same faithfulness and devotion that
Elijah displayed, glorifying You in all
that we do.
His
faithfulness during public ministry and
hiding serves as a touching reminder to
remain obedient and trust in Your provision,
regardless of the circumstances we may face.
It encourages us to maintain our devotion
and unwavering faith in all aspects of our
lives, just as Elijah did.
We
declare our commitment to remain obedient
to Your call, even in times of solitude
and hiding, knowing that You are with us.
We proclaim that our faith will remain strong
and our devotion unwavering, regardless
of the challenges we encounter.
Lord,
help us to see Your hand in every situation,
trusting that You are working for our good
even when we cannot see the full picture.
Strengthen
our hearts to remain faithful during trials,
and remind us of Your constant presence
and guidance. Inspire us through Elijah's
example to be steadfast in our faith, knowing
that Your provision is always sufficient.
We
declare our resolve to stand firm in our
faith, no matter the trials or opposition
we face. We proclaim our intention to speak
up for what is right, guided by Your truth
and justice.
Lord,
equip us with the wisdom and discernment
to recognize and confront the faithlessness
and injustice in our world. Encourage us
to be voices of truth and righteousness,
shining Your light in the darkness. Help
us to trust in Your provision and guidance,
knowing that You are always with us, sustaining
us through every challenge and blessing.
In
1 Kings 20, there is a battle between Syria
and Israel.
King
Ahab sought counsel from the elders of the
land, who agreed Israel should not surrender.
The outlook didn’t look promising; however,
a prophet from the Lord speaks of victory
for Israel. After a great victory, the prophet
again advises to prepare for Syria to seek
revenge. Once again, Syria comes up against
Israel, and they have another great victory
over Syria a second time.
Ahab
makes a peace treaty with Ben-Hadad instead
of following God's command to put him to
death. Due to his disobedience, a prophecy
is placed on his head that he will see destruction
in place of Ben-Hadad.
1
Kings 21, King Ahab desires a vineyard belonging
to a subject named Naboth.
Jezebel
hears of her husband's desire for the vineyard
and has Naboth put to death, and Ahab stakes
claim to the land. Elijah, hearing of it,
pronounces judgment on Ahab and Jezebel.
Ahab
humbles himself before the Lord, and the
Lord delays judgment over Ahab, but Jezebel's
judgment remains for her great wickedness.
COWARDLY
LION | 1 Kings 20:1-4
Ahab's
downward spiral is reminiscent of the cowardly
lion from "The Wizard of Oz".
Despite his royal position and God-given
strength, his indecisiveness has led to
idol worship and moral weakness. This serves
as a reminder that sin and guilt can lead
to cowardice in facing difficult situations.
Heart check.
How
is you courage when faced with difficult
spiritual situations?
GOD’S
POWER | 1 Kings 20:13-20
Have
you ever been delivered from a situation
where you rightly deserved a guilty verdict?
I know this feeling from high school, speeding
to my part-time job. When the police lights
fiashed, I knew I was guilty. But it was
the same officer who frequented my job,
and he showed me the grace and mercy I didn't
deserve.
Similarly,
God showed Israel and King Ahab that He
is the Lord Almighty, offering grace they
didn’t deserve. Heart check.
Do
you recognize the power of God'd mercy and
grace in your life?
EXCUSES
| 1 Kings 20:23-25
The
excuses in 1 Kings 20:23-25 are just pouring
out! Finger-pointing and blame-shaming so
that their poor judgment and utter defeat
will not refiect poorly on them. It reminds
me of the sayings, "That was a lucky
shot" or "I am just warming up,
so that shot doesn’t count" – it sounds
like me playing sports with my kids. I am
always losing!
However,
don’t we do this in our lives?
"I
wasn’t prepared for that test, but it was
the professor’s fault."
"I
wasn’t prepared for the ballgame, but it
is the coach’s fault or the bad calls by
the ump."
"I
wasn’t prepared for the inappropriate relationship,
but it wasn’t my fault - they threw themselves
at me."
Do
you see where excuses can lead us to? A
place where the consequences of our sin
are diminished because we are diminishing
the behavior of ourselves by placing it
on others. So, heart check.
Are
you preparing your heart, mind, and spirit
for difficult situations? And if so, are
you able to truly examine your actions and
take responsibility?
SIT,
SOAK, SOUR | 1 Kings 20:43 & 21:4
King
Ahab’s sullen and vexed mood reminds me
of a spoiled child pouting and refusing
to eat. Like a sponge sitting, soaking up
bitterness and souring, negativity can lead
to a toxic state. My former pastor used
to say, “Sit, soak, and sour.” This describes
those who dwell on the negative and get
stuck in the past, leading to a sour attitude.
Heart check.
Are
you sitting in negativity, soaking up bitterness,
and souring your thoughts and actions?
ILLUSIONS
| 1 Kings 21:1-14
Naboth
was an honorable man who wouldn’t compromise
his inheritance from the Lord. Jezebel twisted
religion for her murderous schemes, giving
an illusion of respectability. This reflects
how we might misalign God’s word for personal
gain or use prophecies to support dubious
claims. Modern examples include people online
claiming divine messages to manifest dreams
or requesting tithes for healing. Heart
check.
How
have you girded up your spirit to defend
against the schemes of the evil one?
TIDES
| 1 Kings 21:25-29
It's
interesting how the shifting tides in Ahab’s
life reflect a lack of firm grounding and
indecisiveness. When you don't have a solid
foundation, it's easy to be swept away by
life's uncertainties and challenges or easily
influenced by others.
Just
think about those moments when you feel
lost and can't find your footing. Having
a strong foundation in God's word can make
all the difference.
By
grounding yourself in the wisdom and guidance
of the Scriptures, you can prevent yourself
from being carried away by the uncertainties
and difficulties that come your way. This
firm foundation can provide stability and
clarity, helping you navigate life's ups
and downs with steadfastness and strength.
Heart check.
Have
you found your strong foundation, or are
you drifting with the tide?
SOLD
OUT | 1 Kings 21:25
God
said He would bring disaster upon Ahab’s
house.
Ahab,
known for his evil ways and being dominated
by his wicked wife Jezebel, lay down his
pride, humbled himself, and repented. Even
though he was sold out to evil and idolatry,
like the Amorites, God showed that no matter
how evil the schemes or how far you have
fallen from His grace, you are not beyond
repentance.
You
are not beyond God’s amazing grace to forgive
you.
If
you are willing to become aware of your
sin and lay aside your pride to humble yourself
and say, “I am sorry, God. Forgive me,”
that is called repentance—turning away from
that sin. Even King Ahab, the most evil
of all, was given grace. Though judgment
was still to come, because he repented,
God delayed it.
Are
you willing to humble yourself enough to
sincerely repent to the Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
does King Ahab’s indecisiveness and moral
weakness refiect areas in your life where
you might struggle with courage and conviction?
Have
there been times when you compromised your
values due to fear or pressure from others?
How did you handle it, and what would you
do di£erently now?
How
can recognizing God’s mercy in your life
lead you to extend grace and forgiveness
to others who may have wronged you?
What
are some common excuses you make to avoid
taking responsibility for your actions?
How do these excuses a£ect your relationship
with God and others?
How
do you see people today twisting and misinterpreting
God’s word for personal gain? What are the
consequences of such actions for the individual
and the community?
How
do the actions of King Ahab and Jezebel
illustrate the broader theme of leadership
and moral responsibility in the Bible?
In
what ways do you need to invite God into
your life to transform areas where you feel
weak, indecisive, or compromised?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for being so merciful
and showering your grace upon us.
We
come before You with hearts open, seeking
Your wisdom and guidance as we reliect on
the lessons from 1 Kings 20 and 21.
Lord,
we ask for Your strength to not envy or
covet the possessions or positions of others
but to be content and grateful for the blessings
You have bestowed upon us. Help us resist
the temptation to twist Your word for our
own benefit and always seek the truth in
Your teachings.
Lord,
we recognize our faults and shortcomings.
We ask for Your forgiveness for the times
we have allowed greed, envy, and dishonesty
to creep into our hearts. Cleanse us from
these transgressions and help us to forgive
those who have wronged us, just as You have
forgiven us.
We
also seek Your mercy for those who have
plotted evil schemes against us. May Your
justice prevail and our hearts remain free
from bitterness and revenge.
Teach
us to be like Naboth, standing firm in our
faith and convictions even in the face of
great evil and adversity.
Give
us the courage to uphold Your commandments
and the integrity to live our lives according
to Your will. Strengthen our resolve to
be unwavering in our commitment to righteousness
and truth.
Lord,
as we move forward, may Your Holy Spirit
guide us, filling us with the wisdom and
discernment needed to navigate life's challenges.
Let
our actions and words reflect Your love
and grace, and may we always bring glory
and honor to Your name.
In
1 Kings 22, Ahab sets out to claim Ramoth-Gilead
from Syria's hand. He seeks help from the
King of Judah to accomplish victory, and
Jehoshaphat recommends seeking God's guidance.
They seek out the prophet Micaiah, and as
Ahab predicted, he does not prophecy in
Ahab's favor.
He
also rebukes the 400 prophets who spoke
falsely in an attempt to appease the king.
Ahab does not heed the Lord's warning and
is killed in battle. Ahab's son assumes
the throne and is more wicked than his father
in the eyes of the Lord.
2
Chronicles links with 1 Kings 22, as it
begins with recalling Jehoshaphat's alliance
with Ahab by marriage; instead of trusting
in obedience to the Lord, he aligns himself
with a wicked king.
Ahab
sets his eyes on the Syrian territory of
Ramoth-Gilead and enlists the help of the
king of Judah. After seeking the Lord's
approval through the prophet Micaiah, and
despite not being given a favorable answer,
Ahab still decides to go into battle.
Although
Jehoshaphat's life is spared, King Ahab
is killed on the battlefield.
COURAGE
| 1 Kings 22:5-8
In
these verses, we see that King Jehoshaphat
of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, was a pious
king full of discernment.
He
encouraged King Ahab, a known idolater,
to seek the counsel of the Lord before going
into battle. Despite Ahab’s practices, Jehoshaphat
stood up to him with respect. This reminds
me of the courage it takes to bring up faith
in today’s secular society. I often find
myself planting seeds in conversations,
mentioning how our family prioritizes church
or how I help Christians with content creation.
It's a subtle way to share my faith and
values. Heart Check.
Are
you planting seeds of the Gospel in the
lives of others, even when it's a sensitive
subject?
PLAYING
CHURCH | 1 Kings 22:8
King
Ahab disrespects the man of God, Micaiah,
because he hates the discernment and truth
that come from God. Surrounding himself
with 400 yes-men, Ahab rejects the true
word of God for messages that appease him.
It’s a reminder that sometimes we use the
word of God for personal gain or to align
with our own desires, rather than promoting
God’s kingdom. Heart Check.
Are
you using the word of God for personal gain,
or are you promoting the Kingdom Purpose?
PROPS
| 1 Kings 22:11
Here,
a false prophet tries to butter up King
Ahab with a showy display, using props to
deliver a message he thinks Ahab wants to
hear.
This
makes me think about how we might sometimes
use the Bible as a prop rather than letting
it propel us through life. It’s like using
props on a stage versus using wings to lift
and spread the word of God over long distances.
Heart Check.
Is
the Bible just a prop in your hand, or are
you using the word of God tp propel you
through this life? Does your flight plan
include sharing the gospel?
UNDER
ATTACK| 1 Kings 22:13-28
Heated
and hostile disagreements can lead to unfavorable
altercations. We must rise above persecution.
Think about the street evangelists who face
hostility and even physical abuse for sharing
God’s word.
They
stand firm in their faith despite the attacks.
The enemy uses manipulation to make us question
our beliefs and hide our light. Heart Check.
Are
you hiding the light of God? Are you afraid
to share God's word? Are you a kind messenger
of God's word, sharing it with humility
and love?
DELIVERANCE
| 2 Chronicles 18:31
King
Jehoshaphat found himself amid a battle
with a literal target on his back. In his
desperation, he cried out to the only source
of true power and deliverance—our God, Yahweh.
This reminds us to turn to God in our times
of need. Heart Check.
If
you are in the mist of a battle, who are
you crying out to for deliverance?
Deep
Dive
Are
there specific ways you can plant seeds
of the Gospel in your daily conversations?
Reflect
on how you can ensure you are promoting
God's Kingdom instead of personal or political
gain.
How
can you focus on genuinely lifting and spreading
God's Word vs being yes men?
Have
you ever faced hostility or persecution
for sharing your faith? How did you respond,
and how can you prepare yourself to respond
with love and humility in the future?
How
can you cultivate a deeper dependence on
God during difficult times?
How
do you react when someone brings a difficult
but truthful message to you? Reflect on
how you can receive such messages with humility
and a willingness to grow.
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your power! We come
before you with grateful hearts.
Keep
us from the idolatry of this world, where
we worship ourselves instead of You. Guard
us when we're easily influenced and dominated
by stronger or more influential personalities,
or when we want to please our own selfish
ambitions and desires. Keep us away from
these temptations and the schemes of the
evil one.
Protect
us from a spirit of lying and deceit. Keep
those spirits away, Lord. Protect us and
comfort us.
Thank
you, Lord, for Your living Word. Thank you
for the stories You have left for us, where
we can see testimonies, transformations,
and the failures of those who knew You intimately
or had Your words so available to them.
They saw miracles in their lives, yet still
turned away and rebelled. They went to the
high places instead of kneeling and worshiping
You with hands held high, praising Your
name. Hallelujah, Lord! We want to put Your
name in our mouths and follow after You,
not our own selfish, vain ambitions.
Prick
our hearts, Lord. Let the Holy Spirit tenderize
our hearts so that when the Word is presented
to us, we do not get puffed up with pride,
anger, bitterness, or resentment toward
the person bringing us truth. Even if it's
truth we don’t want to hear at the time,
we know it's truth as long as it's given
in love and humility. Allow us to see past
any flaws in the messenger and not forsake
the message because of how it was presented.
Let
Your Word, which pierces through bone and
marrow, penetrate our hearts. Let the Holy
Spirit guide us and be that light in the
darkness when it's hard to hear the truth.
As
we read Your words, let the Holy Spirit
also bring the words of life to us, so that
our hearts are pricked by the words we read
each and every day. No matter where we are—sitting
in our living rooms, at kitchen tables,
washing dishes, or driving semi-trucks—let
Your Word change our hearts so we can change
our lives and live for You.
In
2 Chronicles 19, Jehoshaphat returns from
battle alive but is chastised by God through
Jehu, the prophet, for helping King Ahab
in his greed to capture Ramoth-Gilead.
He
is ultimately spared from judgment because
he removes idolatry from the land of Judah.
Jehoshaphat continues to bring the people
of his land back to the Lord and places
judges throughout the land to ensure the
people remain obedient to the Lord.
In
2 Chronicles 20, the nations of Moab and
Ammon gather in battle against Judah. Jehoshaphat
proclaims a national fasting as he seeks
guidance from the Lord. He gathers the people
of Judah and leads the whole assembly in
prayer, asking for His deliverance from
the hands of their enemies. He receives
confirmation from the Lord through a Levite
named Jahaziel that Judah will see victory.
All
of Judah rejoices and praises the Lord as
they are told to position themselves to
fight and watch as the Lord fights their
battle for them! The battle begins in worship
to the Lord, and they faithfully watch as
Moab and Ammon fight and destroy the people
of Mt. Seir and then turn on one another.
The chapter ends with Jehoshaphat aligning
himself with King Ahaziah in disobedience,
his ship fieet destroyed on the way to Tarshish,
and his reign at an end with his death.
2
Chronicles 21 records the evil reign of
Jehoram, Jehoshaphat's son. Jehoram was
married to the daughter of the evil king
of Israel, Ahab, and his wife, Jezebel.
Jehoram is immediately paranoid regarding
his throne, and all of his brothers and
others who might rise up and take his throne
have been killed.
Jehoram
is spared death only by the covenant the
Lord made with King David, promising to
keep his descendants on the throne. Edom
revolts against Judah, and battle ensues,
and Jehoram builds high places all over
Judah, leading Judah into deep idolatry
and harlotry against the Lord. Elijah writes
a letter of rebuke to Jehoram from the Lord,
and a terrible judgment is pronounced upon
him. The Philistines and Arabians invade
Judah, and all of his wives and sons are
captured, except his youngest son, along
with all his possessions. He dies a painful
death, and in the end, no one mourns him.
2
Chronicles 22 follows the brief reign of
Ahaziah over Jerusalem. He was evil, and
God allowed him to reign only one year.
God
pronounces judgment over Ahaziah through
the prophet Jehu, and he is put to death
while fieeing the enemy. His mother, Athaliah,
put the remaining royal heirs to the throne
to death and assumed the throne for herself.
The only remaining heir is hidden during
the years of her reign by Jehoshabeath,
a princess herself and the wife of a priest.
2
Chronicles 23 recalls the actions of Jehoshabeath
from the previous chapter to preserve the
line of David and the plan to restore the
throne from Queen Athaliah.
Jehoiada,
the husband of Jehoshabeath, gathers military
leaders and Levite witnesses to the secret
crowning of Joash. Athaliah hears of the
plot and is greatly distressed and attempts
to cry treason but is carried o£ herself
along with her supporters and executed.
A renewed commitment and worship to the
Lord is established, and the people kill
the priest of Baal and tear down their temple
to Baal.
REVIVAL
| 2 Chronicles 19:8-11
How
does one renew the spirit within a community
or society? It is by building a strong spiritual
foundation. This foundation doesn't just
appear because you ask for it; it comes
through disciplined, surrendered e£ort.
Here, King Jehoshaphat was doing a long
list of work to get the people back to a
foundation based on righteousness and justice.
With this strong foundation, you can have
a renewal based on righteousness.
Let's
bring this to today. Do you want a renewal
or revival within your church, community,
society, or family?
Prayer
is one thing, and reading God's word is
another, but then there is an actual act
that has to happen: love in action, humility
in action, righteousness in action. These
are all verbs. We are not supposed just
to sit and hope that rain comes and just
pray for deliverance. Jehoshaphat sought
the counsel of God, and once he had those
statutes and commandments, he then instituted
those commandments into society. He set
up the priests and destroyed the altars
of false gods. You start to see a renewal
of God's word come alive in people's lives,
and you can see this, too, in your family.
When
I feel that my marriage, family, or work
life is veering o£ course, I look
at the tasks at hand for a renewal:
● Am
I in God's word daily?
● Am
I living out the word that He has provided
for me—the commands and statutes?
● Am
I practicing the fruits of the Spirit?
● Am
I showing grace, humility, and justice?
● Do
I trust God in all things?\ Heart Check.
Are
you doing the work to build a spiritual
foundation to see a revival in your life,
family, church, and community?
ESCAPE
ROUTE | 2 Chronicles 20:1-12
This
passage is full of golden nuggets that we
can pull out and apply to our lives. I love
it when we can create a checklist or list
of virtues and values for practical application.
So, let's look at this. What did the king
and the nation do when they came under attack
by the enemy?
These
same principles can be applied to our lives
when we are attacked by the enemy, who is
often sneaky. We have to be prepared and
vigilant and know what to do when we feel
attacked.
1. Prayer
and Fasting
2. Worship
3. Humility
4. Being
Spirit-Led
5. Faith
6. Gratitude
7. Vigilance
Now
that we have this list, how can we implement
these in our own lives? We may not be royal
kings of an entire nation, but we are leaders
in our homes and lives.
● Prayer
and Fasting: Engage in personal prayer and
fasting.
● Worship:
Have a worship service at home or with your
family. Remember, church worship is not
an empty time of praise.
● Humility:
Approach God with humility, acknowledging
our dependence on Him.
● Being
Spirit-Led: Open your heart to the Lord
and seek His guidance, not relying on your
own might and power.
● Faith:
Trust in what you cannot see, believing
in God’s plan and steps for you, no matter
the circumstances.
● Gratitude:
Be grateful in all circumstances. Praise
His name on the mountaintop and in the low
valley, amid the turmoil.
● Vigilance:
Always keep your guard up against the enemy.
The enemy will come when you least expect
it. For instance, just the other day, my
husband was relaxing on the couch when he
discovered a big puddle of water from a
leaking AC unit. He felt in his spirit that
something was going to go wrong. We must
always be ready and vigilant. Heart Check.
Do
you have a checklist for your escape route
when the enemy attacks?
FAMILY
FRIENDLY | 2 Chronicles 20:13
As
a mom with many children, I am always aware
that anything I do in life will involve
them. Big family vacations, ministry work,
sports—I'm constantly mindful that my little
ones are watching me and learning from me.
As my pastor used to say, "It's caught,
not taught." This verse resonates deeply,
especially in our digital age, where children
are always observing us.
In
this passage, during a prayer of lament,
all were present: wives, children, and little
ones. Even the babies were included. This
emphasizes the importance of including everyone,
even the youngest, in times of praise and
lament. Heart Check.
Is
your life family-friendly? Are you including
even the little ones in your ministry work
and in the ministry of your life?
PREP
& PRAISE | 2 Chronicles 20:20-23
This
passage is so powerful! As the people went
in front of the army, they were having a
praise and worship service. With its strength
and might, the army was meant to protect
and fight for the people. But here, they
are demonstrating that God is the one who
truly fights their battles. They praised
Him before the battle began because they
believed the victory was already won.
They
prepared themselves with prayer, fasting,
and worship. As they went to battle, they
praised God for the victory, showing complete
trust in Him. Heart Check.
Are
you trusting God with the results in your
own life? Are you praising the Lord as you
go to battle?
REST
| 2 Chronicles 20:30
I
just want you to marinate in that real quick.
Let's repeat: "And Jehoshaphat was
quiet, for his God gave him rest all around."
Place your name in that verse: Holly was
quiet, for God gave her rest all around.
You've
got to do the work first. (And that one
speaks to me: I have to do the work first
in this ministry of life.)
Doing
the work means trusting and obeying God
in my personal life, trusting Him in my
marriage my family, trusting Him in this
digital ministry, and trusting Him in the
everyday life of the secular, fieshy world.
Then, I can abide in the peace and the rest
that He will give me in quietness. All that
just speaks to the weary, anxious, and striving,
hustling souls who can't sit still.
Trust
in the Lord. Let Him fight your battle and
give you peace because that's what this
is saying—peace all around. That's what
he had. That's what the king had here: peace
all around because God gave it to him. Heart
Check.
Are
you living a quiet life because the Lord
has given you rest and fought your battles?
GODLY
COUNSEL | 2 Chronicles 23
The
last few chapters were like a drama unfolding
in the secular world of man, with people
trusting in themselves and allowing greed
to lead every action. We see a king who
once trusted the Lord but gave in to people-pleasing
tendencies and compromised on alliances—relationships
with ungodly, wicked people. This infiuence
nearly wiped out the Davidic line and legacy.
Pride and greed led to these situations,
and each of those people sought their own
wicked counsel, only wanting to hear things
that would appease them, or they acted solely
to glorify themselves.
But,
there is a redemptive power in seeking good,
godly counsel. When kings, leaders, and
prophets consulted with the Lord first,
mighty works happened. They didn't trust
in their limited knowledge and abilities
but in the strength, knowledge, omnipotence,
and sovereignty of our Heavenly Father,
Yahweh Elohim. A young child's life was
covered, protected, and nurtured through
good, godly counsel. And once again, a slight
renewal and revival began, as this new king,
Joash, from a young age, took this counsel
and implemented it.
As
a wife, a mom, and a child of God, my first
source of godly counsel should be, and hasn't
always been, God's Word. Then, I should
petition Him through prayer and fasting—though
fasting is something I haven't done regularly.
After
that, seeking counsel from those I know
are in God's Word, praying, fasting, worshiping
Him, and striving to please God over man
is crucial. That's where my heart should
go; that's where my lips and mouth should
go first.
I
can tell a huge difference in my life when
I am in God's Word, praying, in a relationship
with Him, and a relationship with good counsel
versus wicked relationships. My spirit is
joyful, even if I'm not always happy about
the circumstances or the outcome of situations.
Heart Check:
What
does good, godly counsel look like to you?
What action can you take to build wise counsel
in your life?
Deep
Dive
How
do you think alliances with ungodly infiuences
can a£ect one's spiritual walk and
decision-making? Refiect on how your relationships
can either strengthen or weaken your faith
and commitment to God’s commandments.
How
does acknowledging your limitations and
dependence on God shape your prayer life
and faith?
After
their victory, Judah experienced peace and
rest. How do you perceive the connection
between trusting God with your battles and
experiencing peace in your life?
Jehoram,
despite his evil actions, was not destroyed
because of God’s covenant with David. How
does understanding God’s faithfulness to
His promises infiuence your view of His
grace and mercy in your life?
Athaliah’s
attempt to destroy the royal family highlights
the theme of spiritual warfare. How do you
stay vigilant and protect yourself spiritually
in a world that often opposes godly values?
How
important is godly mentorship and leadership
in nurturing faith and ensuring spiritual
growth?Consider the role of mentors and
spiritual leaders in your life and how their
guidance has shaped your spiritual journey.
Heavenly
Father, we praise you before our battles
and trust you with the results!
We
come before You with humble hearts, seeking
Your strength and guidance as we strive
to reform our lives, habits, and behaviors.
We acknowledge that true transformation
requires dutiful and diligent, disciplined
actions, and we lean on Your strength, understanding,
grace, and mercy.
Help
us to persevere and not give up, even when
faced with challenges. Teach us to emulate
the ways of the ant, preparing for the future
by building a strong foundation that is
spiritually anchored in You.
May
we find joy in You, regardless of our circumstances.
Lord,
instill in us the importance of spiritual
discipline. Help us identify and increase
in areas we lack, whether it be worship,
fasting, prayer, or fellowship. Guide us
to never forgo the community with others
who will sharpen us and encourage us in
our walk with You.
Teach
us how to praise Your name with sincerity
and gratitude, recognizing Your steadfast
love that endures forever. Show us the power
of praying Scripture and using Your Word
as a guiding light in our prayer lives.
We
thank You, God, for this life and the breath
in our lungs. We are grateful for the small
things, like the feet that carry us and
the hands that serve. Help us to cultivate
an attitude of gratitude, finding reasons
to say, "Thank You, Lord."
Let
us appreciate every opportunity, including
the chance to be digital missionaries, spreading
Your Word, understanding Your teachings,
and living them out in a world that often
doesn't care.
Help
us to be vigilant against ungodly and wicked
counsel and relationships that may lead
us astray and make us susceptible to unwise
decisions.
Lord,
we ask that You give us wisdom and discernment
in all our relationships and interactions.
Protect us from the infiuence of those hindering
our walk with You. Instead, surround us
with people who will uplift and encourage
us to grow closer to You. Help us to remain
steadfast in our commitment to seek Your
will above all else, resisting the temptations
of people-pleasing and the downward spiral
into wickedness.
We
wrap up this prayer with an attitude of
gratitude. Thank You, Lord, for Your Word
that guides us, for this day You have made,
and for the ability to grow and learn. Thank
You for the teachable spirit You have given
us and for the opportunities to be exhorted
and encouraged. We pray all these things
in the mighty and precious name of Jesus.
